(Chicago, IL) — October 22, 2010. In the battle for control of the Illinois House, GOP Minority Leader Tom Cross has expanded the battle field by making a late move to knock out incumbent State Rep. Lisa Dugan (D-Bradley), dumping tens of thousands of dollars into polling, direct mail, and a media buy for her GOP rival, Nick Been, according to state election records.
Been today reported contributions totaling $43,723, of which all, but $5,000, came from the Illinois Republican Party or the House Republican Organization, controlled by Cross. The $5,000 donation came from the Republicans’ deep-pocketed ally Ken Griffin of Chicago, who, along with his wife, gave $250,000 this week to GOP governor nominee Bill Brady.
Dugan, who is one-step ahead of Been, yesterday reported $28,974 in contributions, including direct mail from the Democratic Party of Illinois.
In an October 14 poll of 684 voters by the Illinois Manufacturers Association, Dugan led Been 46.6% to 38.8%, with Green Party candidate George Ochsenfeld taking 5.1%. The margin of error was 3-4%.
According to a top Democratic source, Dugan, who has cruised easily to re-election in the past, will have a stiffer challenge this year because of the national climate, but will hold her seat.
“Lisa is facing some headwinds, like many Democrats, but she’ll win without a doubt,” said the source. “Cross is just pissing his money away.”
House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) currently holds a 70-48 majority, and most experts expect him to maintain his House majority, forged under a Democratic legislative map, after November 2.
Stay tuned.
Gov. Pat Quinn
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