Continuing to improve his fundraising efforts, disclosed today he raised more than $200,000 since the first of the year in his effort to secure the Democratic nomination to challenge , according to Communications Director Joanna Klonsky.
Though the current reporting was only two months, Sheyman posted better numbers than he raised for any of the quarters of 2011. His best effort before this was $180,204 in the fourth quarter of last year.
“With this broad and deep fundraising base, we’ll have the resources needed to reach the Democratic primary voters we need, through a robust field program, an impactful television ad buy, and an innovative mail campaign,” Campaign Manager Annie Weinberg said.
According to Klonsky, more than 16,000 individuals have donated in excess of $630,000 to the campaign since Sheyman started his effort nearly a year ago.
The Waukegan community organizer will face Deerfield management consultant , Mundelein attorney and Long Grove business owner in the March 20 Democratic primary. Early voting began Monday.
The Democratic primary winner will run against Dold in the Nov. 6 general election. Dold is unopposed for the Republican nomination.
No other candidates have released their fundraising results for January and February. Reports are due to the Federal Election Commission March 8.
It is not Ilya's job to explain Brad's entire voting record; he only highlights areas where they disagree. And I did hear Brad attack Ilya (at the 10th Dems forum) on taking a political contribution from a group whose views on the Gaza flotilla they both disagree with. I support Ilya because he has a clear record of working for core Democratic values and for the public good. His depth of knowledge on the issues and outstanding debating skills will make him a formidable candidate against Dold.
But I believe he HAD to do so. Why? Because of a very different type of ad that the Schneider people were resorting to: The make-a-batch-of-Tang-and-call-it-“fresh-squeezed” route. In almost every single one of the dozen or so fliers they sent me (and presumably every other Dem-leaning household in the 10th District), Schneider referred to himself as a “Progressive”! Brad gave 1000s to Kirk and other to Republican candidates. Progressive Democrats don’t give 1000’s to GOP candidates. Period. Not even if they give 10’s of 1000’s to Democrats. That would be absurd to a true Progressive. Blue Dogs might donate to republicans. But Brad isn’t claiming to be a Blue Dog, is he? With Ilya, what you see is what you get. He doesn’t just talk the talk, he also walks the walk. I believe that if Brad were selling himself as the “most Moderate of the 4 Dems running,” Ilya would not have “attacked” Brad on his history of donations. Peace.
Brad Schneider is **misleading** every Dem-leaning household in the District when he sends out flier after flier claiming to be a “life-long Progressive”
As for Independents: Have you heard Ilya speak and/or debate? His fervor is infectious! His command of the issues? Exceptional. Hearing Ilya speak about causes he will fight for (and they are the right causes for this day and age), one can’t help but feel stirred to join him and take action too. He has focus, he has passion, he has acumen. Those 3 attributes (to say nothing of his stellar debate abilities) will help Ilya win wide margins of (“Independent”) supporters in the general election. Peace.
We don't have a "machine" here in the 10th District. There are real people you are asking to volunteer their time, energy, hopes and dreams in fighting for our candidates. Some of them resent Brad's helping Republicans, and pretending to be a progressive democrat now. I think this is Ilya Sheyman's time. He is as inspirational and decisive as Brad is moderate and Republican-friendly. We need leaders in Congress - bold leaders who are willing to work with Republicans from strength and vision, not from "big money and business" as usual.
Why not stick to the issues instead of the drumbeat of "only brad can win?" We can see who has built a better campaign organization, and who always shows up at important campaign events. We can see who knows the issues inside-out. The voters in this district want a progressive voice in Congress, not another moderate voice in Congress. Been there; done that. Ilya has national support from progressives who see the 10th District as a key national election. Moderate democrats are not so engaged. They want to be free to help support Republicans and often see the plight of the middle class and working class as inevitable. But Ilya has not attacked Brad as being unable to beat Bob Dold. He just pointed out some activities inconsistent with being a Progressive Democrat.