After filing its second quarter state and federal fundraising report last night, the Illinois Republican Party is proud to announce it has raised $459,775 ($131k state / $328k federal) during Don Tracy’s first full quarter as ILGOP Chairman – the state party’s best quarter in over 10 years outside of a large contribution from former Governor Bruce Rauner in 2015.
“I made clear from the beginning that raising the necessary funds to combat the entrenched and corrupt Democrat machine would be one of my main objectives as Chairman,” said Tracy. “I believe our team at the state party, including our newly formed finance committee, rose to the occasion and delivered results Republicans across Illinois can be proud of. I cannot thank our finance team enough for the work they have done these last few months.”
Members of the Illinois Republican Party Finance Committee are Chairman Vince Kolber, RNC National Committeeman Richard Porter, Lynn O’Brien, Brian Kasal, Kathy Salvi, Kevin Crumly, Julie Cho, and Roger Claar.
The ILGOP collected 2,027 individual donations, bringing their total to 4,105 contributions for the year. “These funds will be used to implement a much needed ballot integrity program, conduct volunteer training, deploy campaign technology and buy advertising,” explained Tracy. “We aren’t backing down. We are fighting to save Illinois.”
The ILGOP’s record quarter and positive momentum stands in stark contrast to the Democratic Party of Illinois which has been hamstrung by its new Chairwoman’s inability to raise money. Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-2), who defeated Governor Pritzker’s hand picked candidate to become DPI Chairwoman in March, has been waiting on a ruling from the Federal Election Commission regarding her restrictions on raising non-federal funds.
Yesterday, the FEC ruled that Kelly, as a member of Congress, is barred from raising any money for state and local elections and cannot be involved in appointing anyone to the DPI committee now tasked with raising those funds and deciding how to spend them. One FEC commissioner said Kelly is now performing in a “purely honorary role.”
While Illinois Republicans are surging, Illinois Democrats are embroiled in internal divisions leading to the selection of an ineffective and powerless state party chair heading into the 2022 cycle.
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