Emanuel Already Has $5M In Campaign Funds For Next Election

By Lisa White in News on Oct 11, 2013 2:50PM

The Chicago mayoral race is still over a year and a half away, but Rahm Emanuel has already raised $5 million in campaign funds to scare away or decimate anyone that is looking to run against him in the election. As the Sun-Times reports, John Kupper, the mayor’s political strategist, stated the official amount when filings are due October 15 will be $5.13 million, which reflects $4.66 million in contributions since Emanuel has taken office.

If you look at the supporters pouring in with donations, it is no surprise that the list includes numerous out of state donations (including many A-listers with ties to his brother Ari) and contributions from a roster of big legal and business heads in Chicago. Despite his well documented and tumultuous relationship with numerous unions, the Sun-Times points out that “since late June alone $783,400 has poured in from organized labor, according to Emanuel’s campaign.” We think it is a sure bet that none of the organized labor donations came from the Chicago Teachers Union. In fact $10,000 came from Stand for Children, an “anti-union advocacy group that has backed the mayor’s controversial education agenda.” Not surprising since Emanuel seems content to continue with the privatization of public schooling in Chicago.

The Sun-Times has a more detailed report of other notable donors, which include numerous law firms (including Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, the firm that employs former Mayor Richard M. Daley), large corporations and financial firms. There were a few "who knew?" donors including the CEO of A&E Television and a $10,600 donation from Groupon co-founder Brad Keywell and his wife. (If that is following Groupon logic, maybe their donation was actually worth $21,200?)

Also of note, Todd Ricketts gave $2,500 after Emanuel approved the Cubs to move forward with spending $500 million to renovate Wrigley Field and develop the area around the stadium. Seems a little low as a sketchy thank you gift, but seeing how the Cubs did this past season clearly Ricketts and company are feeling a bit down in dumps overall.

At this time no candidates have announced they are running against Emanuel in the next election, but given his rocky relationship and bridges burned with many local organizations we are sure they’ll find someone to go up against Emanuel in 2015. If not, Emanuel will have a large purse to save for another rainy election. If anyone does decide to challenge Emanuel in 2015, they better be prepared to find some friends with deep pockets that are ready for a long fight.