Berrios Brings The Snark In Battle With Claypool

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Sep 24, 2010 9:30PM

Democratic Cook County Assessor candidate Joe Berrios is really getting worked up over the challenge he's received from independent candidate Forrest Claypool. Maybe it stems from that Chicago magazine piece or Berrios' complaint with the IRS against the Better Government Association in connection with the piece. Whatever the case, Berrios has brought the sass in his latest press release addressing Claypool and his rich donors, name-checking some that were found on that Forbes list we posted on yesterday. In the statement, Berrios goes after Claypool for having a bunch of Richie Rich donors, dripping with so much sarcasm that we imagine he was doing the two-finger air quotes gesture while dictating the statement to his campaign's press liaison.

Check out the full statement after the jump.

In an emailed statement sent out yesterday with the subject line, "Berrios issues apology," his campaign said:

Democratic candidate for Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios on Thursday issued an apology for making inaccurate statements regarding his opponent's donor base.

"I have made comments in recent stories - including one published today - that Forrest Claypool receives contributions from millionaire donors," Berrios said. "That comment is inaccurate. In fact, Mr. Claypool is receiving thousands of dollars from billionaires who were today listed as the richest people in Chicago."

Berrios cited a Forbes story that was published today which listed the 400 richest people in the United States. On that list are 18 Chicagoans - 10 of whom have donated to Claypool, but not Berrios.

"I apologize for under-estimating the wealth of Forrest Claypool's donors," Berrios said. "None of these 10 Northside residents has contributed to my campaign. And while Mr. Claypool has been criticizing me for taking donations over $1,500, he has been busy taking $600,000 in less than six months from just 48 donors. He is the epitome of an elitist."

Forbes editors select list members by their estimating their stakes in privately held companies, real estate, art, yachts and planes.

In fact, Berrios then name checks the Claypool donors on the Forbes list: Sam Zell, Gigi Pritzker, Thomas Pritzker, James Pritzker, Jay Robert Pritzker, Penny Pritzker, Michael Krasny, Joe Mansueto, Kenneth Griffin, and Neil Bluhm.

Oh, snap! Shit just got real in the Assessor's race!