As GOP Jostles, Quinn Has $2.9M In Campaign Fund
CHICAGO (AP) -- Gov. Pat Quinn has socked away $2.9 million for his 2014 re-election campaign -- more than all four of his potential Republican rivals combined.
The Chicago Democrat, who has no major challenger in the March primary since Bill Daley abandoned his bid, raised about $813,000 during the three-month period that ended Sept. 30, according to reports filed with the state late Tuesday.
Meanwhile the four Republican candidates continue to battle for donors and their party's nomination.
State Treasurer Dan Rutherford raised about $337,000 and finished the period with about $1.2 million. He said more than 1,400 people contributed during the third quarter, which he called a sign that he has widespread support among GOP voters. Internal polling shows "we are investing in the right way," he said.
"We are in extremely good shape," Rutherford, of Chenoa, said.
Billionaire businessman Bruce Rauner raised about $1 million during the third quarter -- more than anyone else in the race. But the political newcomer from Winnetka also spent $1.1 million, leaving him with about $594,000 in his campaign fund.
Still, Rauner has the personal wealth and connections to spend considerably more. He also will benefit from a political action committee he controls that was created to push for term limits.
State Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, who won his party's nomination in 2010 and lost to Quinn in the general election, raised $66,000 and had about $273,000 on hand. He said he isn't concerned that others have more in the bank.
"I've been outspent before and won," Brady said.
State Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, who lost the 2010 GOP primary to Brady by a narrow margin, brought in about $314,000 and finished with about $205,000.
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