CASH ON HAND $2,281,250 | ||
RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR PAT QUINN (D) |
The Man: Pat Quinn is the 41st and current Governor of Illinois. Previously elected three times to statewide office, Quinn was the Lt. Governor when then-governor Rod Blagojevich was impeached by the Illinois Senate. In his race to win the statehouse, Quinn has tried to distance himself from Blagojevich while managing a $13 billion budget deficit -- the worst in Illinois history.
The Knock: Quinn has a reputation for being a hands-on governor, and because of that approach Quinn has been accused of running an unfocused administration. His campaign has suffered as well -- Quinn was late to appoint a campaign manager, and parted ways with his PR firm with only weeks to go before the election.
Quinn has recently been dogged by several high-profile scandals, including a mismanaged early prison release program and large staff salary increases.
The Strategy: Quinn has not held campaign events to promote his candidacy during the general election, instead favoring a legislative approach to generate headlines. While early polls showed him trailing his Republican challenger, Bill Brady, Quinn has been making headway in the polls recently with a series of political ads questioning the character of his opponent.
The Buzz:
- SunTimes Endorses Quinn for Governor
- Examiner reports that Quinn catches up to Brady in the polls
- BusinessWeek.com breaks down Quinn and Brady's plan to balance the budget
- Quinn's answers to SunTime's Questionnaire
- Chicago Public radio reviews Quinn's first 6 months in Office
- NBCChicago explains Quinn's "underwear residency test"
- HuffingtonPost reviews whether Quinn's cuts to balance the budget are too timid
- The Daily Herald further breaks down what Quinn and Brady will cut in regards to education
- Chicago Tribune reports Quinn gives a 5-week-no-penalty-grace period to delinquent taxpayers
- NBCChicago highlight's Quinn's fault in being too honest, especially when it comes to raising taxes