Governor's Race Shatters Contribution Record

Millions Flow to Legislative Candidates

CHICAGO, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The record for money raised by candidates for governor in an Illinois election has been shattered by 2010 candidates. Legislative candidates, who will determine control of the state House and Senate, also reported a huge surge in receipts in the final days before tomorrow's election, according to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR).

Four of the candidates for governor have reported total combined receipts of $31.8 million during the General Election period, far in excess of the $23.7 million record set in 2006.  Republican Bill Brady tops the chart at $15.1 million, followed closely by Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn at $13.2 million.  Independent Scott Lee Cohen reports $3.3 million, Green nominee Rich Whitney shows $45,000 and Libertarian Lex Green reports $24,000.  Candidates in this election will not disclose their actual spending totals until next January.

It appears that no candidate will surpass Blagojevich's single candidate total, which federal prosecutors later revealed was fueled by donations from state contractors, board appointees and job seekers in apparent violation of the law.

The stakes in this year's legislative contests are higher than normal, as the party in control of the House and Senate next year will take the lead in drawing new legislative boundaries that will be in effect for the next decade.

Fourteen legislative races -- seven in each chamber -- have reported combined fundraising of more than $1 million.  By contrast, only six races did so in 2008.  Among a larger group of House and Senate races with significantly higher-than-average fundraising, it is funds from legislative caucuses and state parties that are once again driving the totals.  In those high-profile races, more than 63% of all receipts are from parties and committees controlled by legislative leaders.  

For top donors to candidates for governor and legislative races, please see the full release at http://www.ilcampaign.org/governors-race-election-money

About the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform

The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest organization conducting research and advocating reforms to promote public participation in government, address the role of money in politics and encourage integrity, accountability and transparency in government. The late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon founded ICPR in 1997.

Contact: David Morrison, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, (312) 335-1767

SOURCE Illinois Campaign for Political Reform