Ricketts Family's Super PAC Targets Three Illinois Congressmen

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Feb 13, 2012 7:20PM

Super PAC the Campaign for Primary Accountability is targeting three Illinois congressmen for removal in the primary elections: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Chicago), Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Hinsdale), and Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-Rockford).

Joe Ricketts, father of Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, is one of the group's major funders, giving $500,000 last year. Another major funder is Eric O'Keefe of the Chicago-based think tank Sam Adams Alliance.

Jackson faces a tough primary challenge from former congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, who has been quick to point out Jackson's ethical entanglements. Redistricting has two incumbents facing off for the same seat: 11th District incumbent Adam Kinzinger is challenging Manzullo in the 16th District. Biggert, though, doesn't have a primary challenger on the ballot. Both were thrown off for invalid petition signatures. One is running a write-in campaign, and another is suing to get onto the ballot.

The super PAC has $1.6 million cash on hand and will spend several hundred thousand dollars on the Illinois primaries in March, but their goal is vague. Crain's writes:

“We're not ideological — I can say that on my mother's grave,” said Curtis Ellis, spokesman for the super PAC. “Our underlying motivation is to make Congress more representative of the wishes of the people” by reducing the advantages that incumbents normally have in primaries.

So far the super PAC money has gone to robo-calls and door-to-door canvassing, but they hinted at bigger plans for online, mail, email and TV ads. The spokesman even said they plan to spend on par with what the candidates do.