Dems Keep Cash Lead, Statewide Democrats Positioning for 2026
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is again launching speculation about his political future after his campaign finance reports showed more cash on hand than an other statewide elected official other than Gov. JB Pritzker.
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Fundraising has been a disaster for Illinois Republicans for years, but especially after then-Governor Bruce Rauner stopped floating cash into GOP coffers in 2018.
But, with ten months to go before the November election, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana) and Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) are making Republicans more competitive financially than they’ve seen in years, even though Democrats still heavily outpace them in cash on hand.
In campaign finance reports due Tuesday night covering the fourth quarter of 2023, McCombie raised over $600,000 and had $1,013,824.53 in the bank at the end of the year. The other caucus committees under McCombie’s control had another $680,000 in the bank.
McCombie is defending seven seats held by Republicans that were won by President Biden in 2020 and attempting to pick up a handful of Democratic seats, as well.
In the Senate, Curran raised over $500,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023 and had $1,435,123.61 in the bank. Curran and Senate Republicans are not defending any seats this fall and have outside opportunities for pickups.
Republicans still trail Democratic leaders in fundraising by large margins. House Speaker Chris Welch reported around $6.8 million in his personal account and another around $1.4 million in the caucus committee he controls.
Senate President Don Harmon has $11.5 million in his campaign account. His caucus committee has an additional around $2.6 million on hand.
Meanwhile, Governor JB Pritkzer, who put another $12 million of his personal fortune into his campaign last fall, has around $11.1 million on hand.
But the real positioning could be among other statewide Democrats to position themselves for runs for Governor or U.S. Senate if Pritzker or Senator Dick Durbin don’t seek re-election in 2026. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who ran for U.S. Senate in 2010, has around $1.6 million on hand. Attorney General Kwame Raoul reported around $940,000 on hand. Treasurer Mike Frerichs has around $800,000 and Comptroller Susana Mendoza filed with around $570,000.