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Duckworth raises $1.8 million with $3.7 million on hand, Giannoulias raises $1.4 million with $2.1 million in the bank

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* Politico

Sen. Tammy Duckworth raised $1.8 million in the first three months of the year, no doubt a result of her national exposure as a candidate for vice president, military veteran, and foil to former President Donald Trump.

The first-term Democrat who last month announced her bid for re-election in 2022 has $3.7 million cash on hand. More than 9,000 Illinoisans contributed to her campaign, and 97 percent of all individual contributions came in under $100, according to her campaign.

* Press release from spring break…

Alexi Giannoulias ended the first quarter of the year with more than $2.1 million in his campaign fund – a year before the 2022 primary election for Illinois Secretary of State.

During the first three months of 2021, Alexi for Illinois raised over $1.4 million, giving the former State Treasurer more than $2.1 million on hand at the end of March. The fundraising total puts his campaign on track to secure the necessary resources to win the Democratic nomination and defeat the Republican nominee in the general election.

“These contributions send a clear message that our vision for the office is resonating with voters across the state,” said Giannoulias, noting that the donor base reflects a broad-based coalition of support from across the state. “Momentum and excitement for our campaign is growing by the day among people who want solutions-driven leadership that brings people together, restores trust in government and delivers results for hard-working families.”

The first-quarter figure is especially encouraging given that COVID-19 restrictions have limited opportunities to reach voters, forcing campaigns to rely on virtual events and individual outreach over the phone. Giannoulias has held more than 75 Alexi Listens events since the start of the year.

“Without the ability to hold in-person events or engage in retail politics, our campaign adapted early on to embrace non-traditional strategies and digital platforms to navigate and overcome these challenges,” Giannoulias said. “Our ability to successfully pivot has paid off as we’ve exceeded our goals and put the campaign in a strong position moving forward.”

As the youngest State Treasurer ever elected in Illinois, Giannoulias, who served from 2007 to 2011, pursued a progressive, reform-based agenda that featured innovative initiatives that curbed ethical abuses, created jobs, safely invested taxpayer dollars and improved the financial futures of all Illinoisans.

In his bid for Secretary of State, Giannoulias has focused on protecting voter rights, modernizing the office through new technology, improving safety on our roadways, strengthening ethics laws to prevent corruption, protecting privacy and safeguarding against financial fraud.

* While we’re on the topic

Ald. Pat Dowell formally announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for secretary of state on Wednesday and pledged not to use the office in its traditional role as a steppingstone for higher office.

“I can absolutely take a pledge today that I would not seek higher office from the secretary of state position,” said Dowell, 63, who has represented the South Side 3rd Ward since 2007.

“My goal for this office is to provide the residents of Illinois with the best customer service possible and not use the office as a personal steppingstone to advance my career,” she said.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 5:54 am

Comments

  1. $1.8 Million is not that great in this day and age. If you look at “comparable” Senators that sum is not very impressive. Of course, she’s still by far the favorite to win but it does make one wonder if they pedal is fully to the metal right now.

    Comment by Hmm Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 9:01 am

  2. Alexi almost has enough to pay off that massive campaign debt from when he lost to that tough political opponent, Mark Kirk. /s. Weak. No one is seriously entertaining the idea of this corrupt retread except for his rich buddies, right?

    Comment by ;) Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 9:15 am

  3. If someone doesn’t step up with some serious cash for the GOP, I forsee at least 10 more years of aimless wandering in the political desert.

    Comment by hot chocolate Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 9:25 am

  4. I’m not impressed by pols who promise not to seek higher office from the SOS. After all, aren’t these offices exactly where our future governors should be getting experience running big governmental organizations?

    Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 9:34 am

  5. While Duckworth’s $1.8 million isn’t phenomenal in this day and age, she still has no credible opponent, has name recognition, and a massive advantage with the state’s political lean. Duckworth doesn’t have to sweat unless she gets a serious primary challenge and/or the NRSC decides to gamble boat loads of money against her. Speaking of Alexi getting $1.4 million, holy cow! How the heck did he raise that much already running for Sec of State? Must be nice having so many wealthy friends.

    Comment by Hot Taeks Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 9:55 am

  6. As a Chicago resident without a car, I will vote for anyone who announces a plan to reopen Chicago Loop facilities.

    Comment by Sox Fan Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 10:12 am

  7. Yes, I can feel the excitement growing by the day for the Secretary of State’s race … ha

    Comment by west wing Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 10:20 am

  8. “Giannoulias raises $1.4 million with $2.1 million in the bank”

    Which bank?

    – MrJM

    Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 10:26 am

  9. Until the Raunerites find a viable candidate against Duckworth, every dollar Duckworth raises will be used to raise her profile and use this run for a longer strategy for her own safety.

    Dems should worry that Alexi could be the nominee, as Alexi and Frerichs are the most vulnerable, by far, and decently run and financed campaigns could tear them down and open up wins for the Raunerites.

    Alexi is very bad news for Democrats.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 10:37 am

  10. “…pledged not to use the office in its traditional role as a steppingstone for higher office”

    Didn’t Jesse White break that tradition? Are we still calling it a tradition when the last time it happened was 20+ years ago?

    Comment by SomeGuy Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 11:10 am

  11. ===“Momentum and excitement for our campaign is growing by the day among people who want solutions-driven leadership that brings people together===

    lol yes we can all feel the excitement. Did he contribute the entire amount?

    Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Apr 14, 21 @ 11:20 am

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