It’s not $4 million. But maybe it doesn't have to be.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Rutherford reported nearly $393,00 in fundraising for the final three months of 2013, according to campaign finance disclosures.
The Rutherford campaign reported a total $392,583.25 for the fourth quarter. That’s significantly less than his Republican rival Bruce Rauner’s $4 million haul for the period, but is expected to be at or above the fundraising totals for his other two challengers, state senators Kirk Dillard and Bill Brady.
All told, the Rutherford campaign reported $1.3 million in his campaign war chest heading into the final few months of the primary season.
So far, state treasurer Rutherford has been seen by many political observers as holding his financial cards close to his vest in the past few months of the campaign. Earlier this month, the Rutherford campaign released a video heavy on biography and a promise to fix the state’s ailing economy.
However, the campaign has yet to air any television spots, a marked contrast to wealthy businessman Rauner’s heavy TV ad buying. Fellow candidates Brady and Dillard have reported fundraising struggles in the past, and many see Rutherford as the best positioned to go toe-to-toe with Rauner in campaign spending leading up to the March primary.
Of course, Rauner’s recent string of controversies and decision to avoid a number of candidate forums is giving all three of his rivals an opportunity to attack the perceived front-runner, regardless of campaign fundraising totals.
