Pritzker Puts $35 Million in Campaign Fund, But Doesn't Say He's Running for Re-Election
Governor JB Pritzker has infused another $35 million into his campaign account, but isn’t willing to say it is tied to his potential upcoming run for re-election.
Governor JB Pritzker has written a check for another $35 million to his campaign account in what appears to be the clearest sign he’s running for re-election in 2022. But, Monday, Pritzker said the issue wasn’t necessarily connected to his electoral future.
Pritzker’s campaign “JB for Governor,” reported the $35 million cash infusion from the billionaire hedge fund manager and heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune. The contribution was dated March 12.
Pritzker was asked questions about his likely candidacy Monday morning, but the state’s video feed cut out.
More on the exchange from the great Rick Pearson at the Chicago Tribune:
Pritzker has sought to dismiss questions about a reelection bid, saying he is concentrating on dealing with the pandemic and public safety, not politics.
He did so again Monday during an event touting a new mass vaccination site in Forest Park. “I’m focused on getting us past this pandemic keeping people safe and healthy in the state of Illinois,” Pritzker told reporters.
“Any of that support for my committee is really designed as a preventive measure in the event that Republicans continue in any more public way to try to attack the Democratic agenda of standing up for working people or to frankly lie about the Democratic agenda,” Pritzker said.
Despite those comments, Pritzker’s $35 million down payment is widely viewed as a reminder to prospective Republican challengers of his ability to self-fund his campaign.
The nation’s wealthiest officeholder, worth an estimated $3.5 billion according to Forbes, Pritzker spent more than $171 million on his 2018 election victory over one-term Republican Bruce Rauner.
Last year he spent another $58 million on a losing effort to win voter approval of his signature agenda item to create a graduated-rate income tax system in Illinois.
Pritzker on Monday did not specify the “Republican attacks” he was seeking to counter with his donation. But any such actions to go after Republicans would seem to lay the groundwork for a campaign in which his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic figures to be a main theme.
Meanwhile, Republican candidate Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) reported Monday he had loaned his fledgling campaign $150,000. Likely GOP candidate Gary Rabine, a suburban businessman, has recently contributed $110,000 to his campaign account.
“That should scare Republicans,” said one Democratic strategist. “There’s no way they’ll get unified enough behind one candidate to compete, and the Governor has shown he’s willing to spend what it takes to win.
Republican strategists we spoke to were more optimistic.
“He should have given himself $150 million,” said one longtime GOP strategist. “It may frighten the current GOP candidates, but they aren’t the ones JB should be worried about.”
National Republican Committeeman Richard Porter of suburban Northfield and State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) are also considering runs. The state’s wealthiest person, hedge fund investor Ken Griffin, has yet to show his preference for a GOP candidate, and many Republicans expect him to provide millions against Pritzker next fall.