Just like the Cook County Democratic Party, Mayor Rahm Emanuel just refused to endorse Duckworth.
Mayor Emanuel’s decision follows a recent interview in which Andrea Zopp again blasted the DSCC and Washington Democrats for their "mistake":
ZOPP: Early on, the DSCC came in and endorsed Congresswoman Duckworth and at the time, I noted that I thought that was not an appropriate role for them because I think a primary is a great thing for the Democratic Party in Illinois…so I think the DSCC suggesting that they — those who are based in Washington, don’t know our state — that they have a better view of what’s better for our state and for the voters in our state about who should represent them in this primary than the voters in the state was a mistake…
FLASHBACK:
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Politico: "The DSCC’s decision to endorse Duckworth roiled Democrats in the state especially since the committee didn’t even interview Zopp beforehand."
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Chicago Tribune: "Zopp said she was ‘saddened and shocked that the DSCC would issue an endorsement without even interviewing me’ and accused the group of displaying ‘total insensitivity to Chicago, African-American women and the democratic process.’"
- Chicago Sun-Times: "Rev. Jesse Jackson slams Senate Dems for backing Duckworth over Zopp"
As Mayor Emanuel stays neutral in the already messy primary, Politico Illinois reports that one of his closest advisers – dubbed his "go-to guy," will act as a bundler on behalf of Andrea Zopp.
In case you missed it, check out the devastating news for Tammy Duckworth and the DSCC:
Rahm neutral in Duckworth-Zopp race, but his go-to guy isn’t
Politico Illinois
By Natasha Korecki
October 19, 2015
http://politi.co/1NQiTAG
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has said he’s staying out of the U.S. Senate primary race between Democrats Andrea Zopp and U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth. But one of the mayor’s closest advisers, who helped bankroll Emanuel’s two campaigns for mayor, has clearly picked a side.
Hedge fund manager Michael Sacks and his wife, Cari, have already maxed out with their donations supporting Zopp. Now sources tell POLITICO that the couple have agreed to act as bundlers for Zopp’s campaign, using their connections to collect checks on behalf of the candidate.
To the average voter, the Sacks name might not mean much. But in elite circles of power and money, a Sacks endorsement is an unquestionably meaningful connection that could help Zopp quickly ingratiate herself with financial heavy hitters in Illinois and beyond.
Sacks, chairman and chief executive officer at Grovesnor Capital, is known as Emanuel’s go-to guy, an unofficial adviser who Emanuel leans on for advice.
"Every mayor would be lucky to have a Michael Sacks in their corner," Emanuel told Crain’s Chicago Business in 2013.
Both Michael and Cair Sacks gave up to the federal legal limits for both the primary and general election (the latter of which will be refunded should Zopp not advance) for a total of $10,800. That’s peanuts when compared to what the Michael and Cari Sacks did for Emanuel in 2011 and again in the last campaign cycle. Mr. and Mrs. Sacks donated nearly $1 million to Emanuel’s campaign account. In the last cycle, the cap on donations was lifted, allowing unlimited contributions to his fund, which is governed by state law. The couple gave another $1.9 million to Chicago Forward, a campaign committee that supported Emanuel.