Statewide Democrats Vastly Outraising, Outspending Republican Challengers
Billionaire Gov. JB Pritzker, who is funding his own campaign, is outspending his Republican opponent 23:1 in the third quarter of 2022.
It’s no secret that billionaire Governor JB Pritzker, who is financing his own campaign, has far more resources than Republican Darren Bailey. But, as campaign finance reports for the third quarter were released yesterday, the outsized advantage Pritzker holds has become more clear.
In the third quarter (July 1-September 30, after the primary), Pritzker gave his campaign $20 million. Bailey raised about $2 million. Bailey spent around $1.6 million while Pritzker’s campaign spent around $38.5 million. That’s a 23:1 advantage.
About $15 million was spent propping up other Democrats, including Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Secretary of State candidate Alexi Giannoulias, and Democratic candidates for Illinois Supreme Court. Though, he still spent over $23 million on his own campaign.
As of October 1, Bailey had around $767,000 cash on hand for the final six weeks of the campaign while the Pritzker campaign had $42.3 million on hand.
The Democratic advantage is clear in all statewide races.
In the race for Attorney General, Democrat Kwame Raoul raised around $1.5 million (including $1 million from Pritzker) and spent around $800,000. Republican Tom DeVore raised around $220,000 and loaned himself another $250,000. He paid back $20,000 of the loan as part of his around $187,000 in expenses. DeVore had around $295,000 remaining for the final six weeks of the campaign, Raoul had around $1.9 million.
In the race for Secretary of State, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias raised around $3.1 million in the third quarter (including $1 million from Pritzker). He spent around $1.3 million and had around $2.6 million cash on hand on October 1. Republican Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) raised around $320,000, spent around $75,000, and had around $250,000 cash on hand.
Democratic State Treasurer Mike Frerichs raised around $650,000, spent around $330,000, and had around $2.3 million cash on hand. (He hasn’t run any TV ads yet.) His Republican opponent, Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), raised around $91,000, spent around $95,000, and had around $460,000 cash at the end of September.
The disparity is clearest in the race for State Comptroller. Incumbent Democrat Susana Mendoza raised around $620,000, spent around $185,000, and had around $1.5 million cash on hand. Republican Shannon Teresi, who was recruited by Ken Griffin’s consultants in the primary and was left out to dry when Griffin bolted town, had just $26,000 cash on hand on October 1. She raised around $38,000 and spent around $29,000.
Considering polling and financial advantages, statewide Democrats may be coasting to victory November 8.
