If spending close to a million dollars is the best way to win an election in Southern Illinois, voters will soon validate that strategy, as downstate Democratic contenders outspend their Republican counterparts by vast margins.
If not, then deep-pocketed campaigners will be reconciled to writing off their capital contributions as a legislative lesson learned.
One of the big spenders, in compliance with state regulations, recently divulged his campaign spending statistics. State Sen. Gary Forby (D-Benton), seeking re-election in the 59th District, revealed that he has outlaid approximately $913,000 — not for an entire year, but in the third quarter alone.
| Contributed photo
By contrast, Forby's Republican opponent, Dale Fowler, spent only $346,000 in the same time period. For both, those figures do not include ads purchased on their behalf by outside PACs or third parties.
The high-end campaign coffers for the 59th District reflect those of the state races in general, the online Daily Register said last week.
“The two candidates are part of a statewide war over control at the Illinois Capitol, where Democrats have long held a dominant advantage,” the Daily Register said, citing ads purchased by the conservative Liberty Principles PAC for additional regional candidates — each of whom spent hundreds of thousands of dollars themselves.
The Daily Register, based in Harrisburg, said Forby received substantial donations from Democratic legislators and also suggested that Republicans have received financial support from Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Following the disclosure of figures, factions were quick to point fingers at each other’s cash sources, using keywords such as “billionaires,” “special interests” and “Madigan allies.”
When Jason Harbison, a representative from Dale Fowler’s campaign, said, “Senator Forby isn’t new to money in politics,” the latter’s camp struck back with efforts to link Fowler’s campaign to Rauner by suggesting that nearly all of Fowler’s capital came directly from the governor, whereas Forby’s followers raised smaller amounts from varied contributors.
“Forby received big checks from … Democratic lawmakers and leaders,” the Daily Register said.
“While my opponent has received nearly 100 percent of his campaign cash from our billionaire governor, Bruce Rauner, our campaign has received strong support, both large and small, from hundreds of individuals, businesses and organizations,” Forby said in a statement.
Forby, who has lived his entire life in Southern Illinois, is a high school graduate and farmer who began his own business, known as Forby Excavating. Forby’s own campaign website includes typical category listings such as “meet the candidate,” and “donate,” along with “priorities."
Fowler, the current mayor of Harrisburg, has said he wants to bring Southern Illinois values to Springfield. Earlier this year, he told WSIL, an ABC news affiliate, that if elected, he would yield his position as mayor to represent his district in Springfield.
Equal parts farmer and businessman, Fowler also has government experience, having worked for the Illinois secretary of state for two years in Springfield, as well as the Department of Corrections. After retiring as an engineer for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, he became a business developer for a bank. He has gone on the record as pro-life, pro-gun, pro-business and pro-coal. Additionally, he supports term limits and reforms for education and workers’ compensation.
Among Fowler’s priorities are increased protections for police officers, firefighters and other first-responders. He recently introduced a “Blue Lives Matter” legislation proposal in Springfield to bring first-responders under the umbrella of a protected class under Illinois’ hate-crimes law.
Most of all, Fowler said Southern Illinois needs representation to nurture business growth and retention.
“We need a voice for Southern Illinois," Fowler said. "I don't feel we've had that voice because we have been controlled by the Chicago machine. I'm not sure they know we're down here, and I want them to know southern Illinois is here,” he told WSIL-ABC.
Regardless of how deep pockets run or where help comes from, Fowler remains committed to the future.
"I just look forward to the challenge,” Fowler said. “I look forward to talking about the solutions for the State of Illinois.”
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