Incumbent Republican Comptroller Leslie Munger is outraising her Democratic challenger, Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, by millions in Illinois’ most expensive statewide race, which has been widely regarded as a proxy war for Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Rauner appointed Munger comptroller in 2015 and Mendoza served alongside Madigan for over ten years in the Illinois House of Representatives. Munger has called herself the governor's "budgetary wingman," while Mendoza has referred to the speaker as a mentor.
According to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, Munger has over $8 million in her war chest, while Mendoza has nearly $3 million.
In September, Munger received a $260,000 donation from her husband, exceeding the $250,000 self-funding threshold and removing fundraising limits for the race.
As a result, Munger received millions in donations from top state Republican backers, like Ken Griffin and Richard Uihlein. Meanwhile, Mendoza received substantial funding from union backers.
On October 31, Munger received a $1 million contribution from Rauner. That same day, Mendoza received $650,000 from the Democratic Party of Illinois fund. Madigan serves as the DPI’s chairman.
