Downstate Venture Capitalist Considering Run for Governor
Petersburg resident Jesse Sullivan, Founder and CEO of San Francisco venture capital firm Alter, confirmed to The Illinoize he is considering a run for Governor.
A Menard County man who is founder and CEO of a San Francisco venture capital firm confirms to The Illinoize that he is considering running for Governor.
Jesse Sullivan, 37, grew up in Petersburg, about 20 miles northwest of Springfield. He graduated from PORTA high school in 2003 and continues to live in his hometown. He attended St. Louis University, Oxford, and earned an MBA at Stanford University.
His venture capital firm, Alter, which was founded in 2015, specializes in technology startups. The firm’s website says it connects “Silicon Valley talent, networks, and capital they most need to scale.”
Sullivan declined to answer any detailed questions about a potential campaign, including how much of his personal wealth he may be willing to put into the race.
Sullivan and his wife, Monique, have four children with a fifth on the way. They have also served as foster parents.
It isn’t clear what kind of positions Sullivan would take in a campaign. He has never sought elected office. Campaign records show he has never contributed money to a state candidate and a single $10,000 contribution to the Illinois GOP federal fund earlier this year.
Many Republicans we spoke to say they’re unaware of what Sullivan would bring to the table or what kind of team he would put together. Some have dismissed him, though others say a large influx of personal cash could be enough to build a statewide network and win in a GOP primary filled with cash-strapped Republican candidates.
Three other candidates, Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), former Sen. Paul Schimpf, and suburban Chicago businessman Gary Rabine are seeking the GOP nomination. Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville), Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), and former Sen. Kirk Dillard are all said to be considering campaigns.