Why the Secrecy Behind the Griffin Slate?
Billionaire Ken Griffin, who is backing a Republican slate for statewide offices.
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OPINION
I wrote the other day about former Rauner administration Chief of Staff and one of the state’s top political operatives, Mike Zolnerowicz (a.k.a "Mike Z”), and his role recruiting the slate that will be funded by billionaire Ken Griffin.
But anyone involved in the slate just isn’t talking.
After former U.S. Attorney John Milhiser announced his candidacy for Secretary of State, we asked to speak to him on the phone. Our request by the aide answering the media e-mail account (who refused to identify themselves), declined our request.
Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) announced his run for State Treasurer this week. He didn’t return my call or text. Wednesday, McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi announced she would be running for State Comptroller. I don’t know her, so I asked a mutual acquaintance to connect us, and Teresi declined to take my call.
Mike Z doesn’t do interviews and people Z counts on aren’t talking either.
Either they have exactly zero confidence in what their candidates will say out loud (which isn’t encouraging) or they think that even a single interview will result in oppo that can be used against their candidates.
They didn’t do announcements, they haven’t done interviews, so is the playbook just to hide and let Griffin’s money fund a bunch of TV ads?
I’ve been told by a few people that there weren’t any promises made by Griffin’s people. If that’s the case, wouldn’t you say so? You’re already going to be tied to Griffin and Rauner, so why not try to form your own identity?
They’re letting Democrats and their opponents define them.
I’m bumfuzzled.
