Susana Mendoza Clinches Victory In State Comptroller Race

By aaroncynic in News on Nov 9, 2016 6:00AM

Susana Mendoza speaking at a get out the vote rally on November 7, 2016. Photo by Tyler LaRiviere/Chicagoist.

Democrat Susana Mendoza beat out incumbent Leslie Munger in what was one of the most contentious and expensive races for State Comptroller in recent memory.

“We really made a big difference today in the state of Illinois,” Mendoza told supporters at her campaign party in Chicago. “I know there’s a lot of anxiety in this room right with the presidential race and Hillary Clinton, but I think it's important we all keep it together and hold tight.”

Mendoza was ahead of Munger 49.2 to 44.8 percent, with more than 95 percent of precincts reporting just before midnight.

In what was essentially a proxy war between Gov. Bruce Rauner and Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, both candidates attempted to assert their independence from their respective party leaders. While the race for State Comptroller’s office isn’t typically a hot-button election, the position took center stage as Illinois faced a grueling budget impasse until the governor and state legislature came to a temporary stop-gap agreement.

The race turned out to be one of the priciest in recent memory, with both sides putting nearly $10 million into their campaigns. The lion's share of that went to Munger, who had more than $8 million on hand in her campaign war chest as of Sept. 30, according to quarterly filings. The bulk of that money came from Rauner and some of his wealthier supporters such as hedge fund manager Ken Griffin and packaging magnate Richard Uihlein donating more than $9 million in the last 2 months alone.

While Munger, who was appointed by Rauner after the death of Judy Bar Topinka, tried to set her self as independent from the governor, she often framed her comments on the budget crisis in a way that supported his overall agenda. Meanwhile Mendoza, who counted Madigan as one of her political mentors while she served as a state representative also tried to shield herself from criticism of her connection to the Speaker.

Flanked by a smiling Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, Mendoza thanked Chicagoans for allowing her to serve as City Clerk.

“It means the world, it's really truly been my greatest honor to serve the people of Chicago as your City Clerk, she said. “But I want to thank the people of the entire state of Illinois for trusting me to represent you, all of you to the very best of my ability as your next Comptroller.”