© 2024 WGLT
A public service of Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Pritzker Puts $25M Into Governor Bid; Total Now Over $100M

Carleigh Gray
/
WGLT
J.B. Pritzker

Democratic billionaire J.B. Pritzker has made a $25 million contribution to his campaign for Illinois governor.

The donation means Pritzker has now put more than $100 million of his own money into his bid to unseat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Rauner, a wealthy former private equity investor, has raised more than $76 million - much from his own bank accounts.

The contest could become the most expensive governor's race in U.S. history, exceeding the roughly $280 million spent in the 2010 California governor's race between former Gov. Jerry Brown and ex-Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman.

Pritzker, an entrepreneur and heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, also has been giving millions to other Democratic candidates through an effort called "Project Blue Wave."

Rauner has similarly bankrolled GOP candidates.

Loading...

WGLT depends on financial support from users to bring you stories and interviews like this one. As someone who values experienced, knowledgeable, and award-winning journalists covering meaningful stories in central Illinois, please consider making a contribution.

Related Content