Chicago

Dunkin Campaign Left with Over $1 Million After Primary Loss

Lame duck Dunkin still has a healthy war chest following primary defeat

Rep. Ken Dunkin’s campaign still has over $1.2 million in the bank after losing the March 15 Democratic primary for his 5th District House seat to Juliana Stratton.

Dunkin’s campaign received donations from Rauner’s political allies after breaking ranks with his party.

Dunkin began 2015’s first quarter with $221,143 in the bank and raised $1,309,500 more, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.

The Illinois Opportunity Project, which is run by Rauner ally Dan Proft, kicked in $1,300,000 to Dunkin’s campaign. Proft is a Chicago radio host who ran on the Republican Gubernatorial Ticket in 2010.

The Illinois Opportunity Project is considered a “dark money” group, meaning it does not have to disclose donors.

Dunkin’s campaign ultimately spent $294,462, leaving $1,236,180 in the ousted representative’s coiffeurs.

Dunkin came under fire from fellow Democrats after he broke up the Democratic super-majority in the Illinois House of Representatives last year, siding with Gov. Bruce Rauner on certain budget issues.

More than $6.1 million was spent over the course of the race, the most money spent on a race for the Illinois legislature in the state's history. 

Stratton rode a wave of substantial donations and high-profile endorsements, including President Barack Obama, to defeat Dunkin, who has served in the Illinois House since 2002.

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