Posted on 11/13/2003 11:06:36 AM PST by Pubbie
He's the $40 million man. That's how much Democrat Blair Hull intends to spend in his bid for the U.S. Senate seat that is being vacated by one-term Republican Peter G. Fitzergald.
The affable Hull, 60, a commodities millionaire and former blackjack king, is waging the most expensive campaign in Illinois history. Even though his candidacy has yet to break out of single digits, there is a growing perception among Democratic officeholders that Hull has a good chance to win their party's nomination.
He is leaving town today on a bus trip to Canada with 25 senior citizens to purchase cheaper prescription drugs. The people on Hull's tour have obtained their doctors' presciptions and must also provide birth certificates to obtain the low-cost medicine. "Some seniors just can't afford these drugs," said Hull, who is seeking to change federal law to allow imports of cheaper drugs.
A former Army lieutenant, Hull was an early and outspoken critic of President Bush's war against Iraq. Among the Democratic senatorial contenders, only state Sen. Barack Obama has been as forceful as Hull in opposing Bush's decision to intervene. State Comptroller Dan Hynes and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, both of whom supported the war, now find themselves in the difficult position of defending a policy that is unpopular among Democratic primary voters. Hull, the only veteran in this race, has credibility on this issue.
Like most Democratic primary voters, Hull comes from a working-class background. He is a former union member who worked in a factory and is also a former teacher. Before making his fortune, he briefly had to go on food stamps to support his family.
At least three of Hull's fliers already have been mailed to Democratic households, and his television commercials began airing last summer. He is focusing on two themes: affordable health care and creating jobs and economic growth for Illinois.
With a net worth of more than $300 million, Hull is the wealthiest person ever to seek office in this state. Under federal election law, candidates are allowed to make unlimited contributions to their own campaigns. Fitzgerald, a banking heir who has outspent rivals throughout his political career, including $14 million to win his senatorial seat, chose not to seek a second term when faced with the possibility of going up against Hull's vast wealth.
Sen. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and a native of Downstate Taylorville, welcomed Hull's entry into the race. Corzine, former chairman of Goldman Sachs, has about the same net worth as Hull and three years ago spent a national record of $63 million to win an open senatorial seat. Corzine plunked down $35 million in the primary to defeat former New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio. In the general election, Corzine spent more than $7.4 million on voter turnout efforts.
Hull's strategy is modeled on Corzine's winning campaign. He shouldn't be underestimated.
Mayor Daley, who first suggested that Hull make this race, is expected to be neutral in the primary. For a self-financed candidate like Hull, Daley's neutrality is almost as good as an endorsement. The fact that mayoral son Patrick Daley works for Hull's investment firm doesn't hurt the senatorial hopeful at City Hall.
Gov. Blagojevich, though uncommitted in the U.S. Senate race, encouraged Hull to run and is covertly aiding his candidacy. Sources close to Blagojevich confirmed Tuesday that the governor recently dissuaded two senior Democratic elected officials from endorsing Hynes, the early front-runner for the Democratic senatorial nomination. ''Rod has nothing against Dan,'' a Blagojevich ally said. ''But he would like to see a competitive race.''
Blagojevich has reason to be generous to Hull. In last year's gubernatorial election, Hull gave him $459,000 in loans, cash, and the use of his private jet. If Hull by early next year shows significant movement in the polls, Blagojevich may be even more openly helpful to his friend.
Ald. Richard F. Mell (33rd), Blagojevich's father-in-law and the most influential Democratic ward boss on the Northwest Side, is actively supporting Hull. Mell has thrown his own organization behind Hull and is seeking to line up additional political support.
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who would have been a formidable contender for Fitzgerald's seat, is deferring to Hull, a longtime friend and the most generous contributor to Quinn's run for his current office. Hull donated more than $100,000 to Quinn's 2002 campaign for lieutenant governor.
What makes Hull different from other self-financed candidates in this state is that he has spent years making friends and allies. He is a board member of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, has received a national award for his support of Title IX, the federal law that mandates public funding for women's sports programs, and endowed a chair for women's studies at the University of California-Santa Barbara, his alma mater.
Hull, who was awkward in early campaign appearances, has improved as a speaker and is more at ease in conversations with grassroots voters. He's already had impact in this race and has the potential to win it all.
Hynes is I think handicapped by being daddy's little boy without any real qualifications for the US Senate.
Hull has more qualifications (as a businessman, veteran, etc) but would I think suffer from his big-spending ways; he would be the Goliath and people like an underdog (probably Jack Ryan). Even in New Jersey there was considerable backlash against Corzine spending so much that he was nearly upset by Bob Franks. Of course, Corzine won, but I think Jack Ryan in Illinois would have a better shot.
Even the New York Times endorsed his Republican opponent!
I wouldn't pay too much attention to Hull's cash on hand. Watch his "cash in wallet" instead.
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