J.B. Pritzker Pours $14M Into Illinois Governor Race
In what is already shaping up to be the most expensive gubernatorial race in Illinois’ history, two billionaires are pouring in millions from their own pockets, leaving competitors far behind.
According to second quarter funding reports, Democrat J.B. Pritzker has invested $14 million in self-funding, giving himself a significant advantage over his rivals in the crowded Democratic primary race.
Pritzker, an heir to the owners of the Hyatt hotel chain who has made his own fortune as a venture capitalist, is a well known figure in the Chicago political scene. The Pritzker family members are top donors to Democratic campaigns on the local and national levels. J.B. Pritzker served as Hillary Clinton’s national co-chair in 2008 and his sister Penny served as commerce secretary in the Obama administration.
The other Jewish candidate in the Democratic gubernatorial race, Daniel Biss, came in second in the fundraising race, with only $1 million raised during this quarter.
On the Republican side, sitting governor and fellow billionaire Bruce Rauner managed to raise $20 million in the second quarter, and, since he is not in a primary race, Rauner does not have to spend yet any of his $67 million war chest. Most of Rauner’s campaign is also self-funded.
Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected] or on Twitter @nathanguttman
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO