At last evening’s Libertyville Township Republicans regular monthly meeting at Lake Country Republican Headquarters, State Representative Beth Coulson (R-Glenview) came to introduce herself and talk about her campaign to succeed five-term Congressman Mark Kirk, who is running for U.S. Senate. Coulson currently represents the 17th State Legislative District (which comprises all or parts of Glenview, Wilmette, Skokie and other areas), so not all that many people in the Libertyville area were especially familiar with Coulson.In addition to her deep legislative experience, she touted her fiscal acumen and expertise in health care issues, among other things. She also provided a long list of endorsements from political figures. Notably, Congressman Kirk did not appear on the endorsement list, but he has stated clearly that he is not ready to issue any endorsements in the 10th District primary (and probably won’t endorse at all, if I guess correctly).
Coulson was asked pointedly about her fundraising and whether she expected to be competitive in the crowded GOP primary field (which includes at least two candidates, Bob Dold and Dick Green, who have reported banking in excess of $250,000 cash for Q3 fundraising).
Coulson was not ready to release any firm Q3 fundraising totals last night, but did state that she had raised in excess of $180,000 in the “month” that she had been actively raising money. She also noted that her campaign contributions were coming in large part from hundreds of individual donors, which she suggested showed her broad base of support. Coulson acknowledged that some of that $180,000 was her own money, but declined to state specifically how much.
Fellow GOP candidates and businessmen Bob Dold and Dick Green have claimed specific sums raised in Q3: Dold claims to have raised over $250,000 and Dick Green claiming $295,000 (but with $220,000 coming from his own pocket). The remaining contender, Winnetka attorney Bill Cadigan, has not yet publicly claimed any specific fundraising totals.
On the Dem side, State Rep. Julie Hamos claimed to have raised $545,000, but three-time 10th District candidate (and need we remind anybody, two-time loser) Dan Seals has not yet released his Q3 numbers, as far as I know, and also no word from Highland Park attorney Elliot Richardson.
The deadline for reporting Q3 campaign contributions is this Thursday, October 15, 2009.
UPDATED 1:45 pm.: I received this press release from the Coulson campaign just now:
Coulson Builds Momentum, Secures Key Endorsements
Survey indicates broad GOP support for Coulson
Northbrook, IL - 10th Congressional district Republican primary voters know Elizabeth Coulson and they like Elizabeth Coulson. According to a survey of 300 likely GOP primary voters, Coulson has an outstanding 8:1 favorable to unfavorable rating in her legislative district and a 5:1 favorable to unfavorable rating across the entire Congressional district.
"I am really proud of the support I have in the community I have represented for the past 13 years," said Coulson. "The views of those who have elected me to serve their interests seven times serve as the best indicator of both the job I've done and the job I will do in Congress."
The strong support Coulson has earned from her community over the past 13 years has galvanized Republican leaders locally and across Illinois to back Coulson's Congressional bid. They see Coulson as the GOP's best chance to hold Mark Kirk's congressional seat.
"I served with Beth in the Illinois House before coming to Congress and know her to be a principled, fair-minded person with a proven track record of getting things done" said Aaron Schock, Illinois 18th District Congressman. Beth stands out as one of Illinois' exceptional legislators. Her ability to work with both sides of the aisle demonstrates her level of commitment to moving forward and focusing on solutions, not differences. She is exactly who we need to represent the 10th District."
In addition to Schock, Coulson has received the backing of Congressmen John Shimkus, Tim Johnson and Judy Biggert. Coulson has also been endorsed by some two dozen current and former state legislators who know her and appreciate the leadership she has provided on the range of critical issues from property tax relief to reducing the cost of prescription drugs to opening new markets for Illinois businesses.
Importantly, Coulson's backing includes both conservatives and moderates. "Those supporting me recognize the ability I have demonstrated to bring our party together around common-sense fiscal policies that directly impact people's quality of life," said Coulson.
For the most recent filing period, Coulson raised approximately $180,000 from hundreds of in-district donors in just over a month since announcing her candidacy.
"I'm the only candidate in this race with a proven ability to put together the resources needed to defeat well-funded Democrats," said Coulson. "Our community has rallied to help me in the previous seven elections that we have won. We're going to get it done together again this time."
UPDATED x2: I confirmed with the Coulson campaign that Coulson raised $130,000 and self-funded $50,000. That's more than Dold (who chipped in $10,000) but way less than Green ($220,000).
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34 comments:
Wow. Coulson might not even finish second in the primary.
Coulson looks real happy to be in Libertyville in that photo.
Wow...If you look up "weakness" in the dictionary, you see a picture of Beth Coulson.
She's way behind or she would have already reported...What's the over/under on the self fund amount of the 180K?
Also, she'll try and obscure her low totals with a flurry of "endorsements" come reporting time.
If you look up, "smoke and mirrors" in the dict...oh well. You get the idea.
Curiously coulson doesn't mention blago anywhere who was a big assist for her in 2004.
Look the names on that list are mostly state establishment republicans who have done nothing over the last decade other than get steamrolled by Democrats. Judy Baar Topinka is a traitor for what she did to peter fitzgerald and the rest of them matter little. The fact that Hamos out raised her 3-1 despite having similar credentials shows coulson really doesn't have the support of the party beyond some lackluster state reps and aging politcal names. Aaron Schock has had a horrible freshman year and frankly is very unimpressive.
As I said yesterday it's been a pretty awful performance thus far by the other candidates. They've all missed myriad opportunities to knock her down. We're 115 days out, I can't think of what they are waiting for. The campaigns run by damisch, donnelly, and even hochberg in 2000 were a lot more intense than what we've seen thus far.
Also TA, you should be more honest, these people announced they were considering the race and therefore raising money going back to the summer.
plapter
Hard to say who has a more crackling, high-energy dynamism: Beth Coulson, or the banjo player from Deliverance.
What happened to the $250,000 goal that you were so confident you could raise, Beth? What a joke! Frontrunner my derriere… Good riddance to you and your campaign team of Democrats.
That "lovely" picture sums up Beth Coulson's campaign: lackluster, dull, and out-of-touch. People in the 10th aren't buying what she's selling and her fundraising numbers prove that. Bob Dold entered the race half a month after Coulson and has presented some roaring fundraising numbers without having to self-fund a great deal (unlike Green or Coulson). Dold is the best candidate we need to continue supporting and putting our weight behind in February and beyond.
Probably the best gift dold and green and cadigan have ever recieved. These are hideous numbers. The fact that she threw in 50k shows you she really has nothing going. On the north shore 130k is nothing and that will buy her a poll, a mailing and some office space. What a pathetic start.
Those endorsements mean nothing and I've seen 4 year olds write more coherent statements than that press release.
Now looks like
1. Dold
2. Green
3. Cadigan
4. Coulson
FOKLAES
I am going with Dold. If we are serious about beating Hamos/Seals I think Cadigan/Coulson/Green should part with their effort and roll behind a winner like Dold. This race was about who could spark the district....other than Dold who can give us what we need?
Wake up Green, Cadigan and Coulson and recognize something larger than your collective egos and side with a winner! You do care about the Party right?
Coulson ran around at the end of the summer saying she would have 300,000 by October 15th. I know that it is a marathon, and not a sprint, but I do not know how Coulson will be able to compete with either Green or Dold with such unimpressive numbers. She should drop out of the race and run for her old seat.
hamilton chang is running for coulsons seat. He deserves our support. Coulson deserves retirement.
the militancy of the dold posters on this blog is encouraging. I'm glad King Louis, Baxters Mom, TA and I are no longer the only Republicans with fight up here. But please come up with nicknames so that we can follow your exploits.
FOKLAES
Dold will win Wheeling
Dold called out Coulson on SEIU and Acorn...in a press release. Then hasn't mentioned it once in a candidate debate.
Coulson will beat Dold with those numbers if he doesn't take her on directly.
Then she will call him Dan Burton's errand boy.
Then the real fun starts.
I think we need to follow the money on contribution. They all claim it equates with supoort and popularity. Is this money from withn the district and small checks, or fat cats and family friends? If the latter, its still money, but just equates with living in a fancy suburb with rich friends?
Candidates need to disclose more stats on their donor base.
People on this blog our foolish to count out Beth Coulson. She has held the 17th for us Republicans since 1997 and knows how to win tough races. Beth has distinguished record in the state legislature, and is the only elected official in the race. What has Dold done besides work for his parent's company? Beth is a State Representative, Medical school professor, and physical therapist. Dold is just another spoiled rich kid who couldn't make it on his own.
Hey, Beth...Nice post.
I think Coulson should just drop out and do what her heart really desires...Run for the Democrat nomination for Congress.
Dold is the only candidate among these other caricatures who can win in November...
Phil Collins is running for Coulson's seat. He has a B.A. in political science. He volunteered at four Republican National Conventions. He was in the navy for 21 years, including six months near Baghdad. He supports tax cuts, spending cuts, and government reforms, which include term limits and recall elections.
1. Is it true that Beth's campaign manager is a democratic operative, and that she did a campaign stunt with Obama?
2. How much are Green and Dold willing to put into the race? It seems like Dick wrote a large check, is he blowing the wad in the primary, leaving him self nothing in the general?
3. Who will Cadigan endorse if he doesn't get the Wheeling Township endorsement?
4. Julie Hamos will get like three votes in Wheeling and Palatine Townships in the general election no matter how much she spends.
-The Oracle of Mirth
Coulson doesn't need to outraise the sausages, she just needs to be close. Whether Dold has 250 or Green has 300, that still is not enough to move numbers quickly. not even close to what TV will cost. Y'all may not like it, but Coulson still has to remain the favorite.
Here is the problem with Dold. He has no policy experience and it shows when he speaks in public. He quickly gets out of his depth whenever he stops giving his canned speech and gets asked a tough question. The ed boards will still play a big role in this race and Dold (unless he is related to Bruce) will struggle in that setting.
I don't understand the buzz about Dold. Coulson has 12+ years experience as a state rep, Green is a self made entrepreneur, and Cadigan is a former Porter aide who has fought the good fight against corruption. What has Dold done other than inherit a company?
Coulson spent 12 years in the most corrupt state capital in America accepting pay hikes and voting for one of the worst spending governments in the country. She was endorsed by blago, has a campaign run by the machine and raised a putrid 130k which in these parts is basically nothing. Her area of policy expertise was recently shot down-health care when the state was discovered to have the 3rd worst system in America.
I think it's pretty obvious she'd be a democratic lap dog in d.c. the way she's been in springfield.
cadigan is not a corruption fighter, the guy went to a press conference, wrote an op-ed no one read and got his plate handed to him by the machine. Mark Kirk is a corruption fighter, peter fitzgerald is a corruption fighter, cadigan is an underwhelming candidate whose sole credential for the job is some mid-level staff work he did back when there was a soviet union and no internet. Mark hates him-he donated to damisch in 2000 instead of Mark, odd for guys who once worked together.
Welcome aboard Oracle, too bad we haven't heard from Tikun, he must have had his computer time taken away when he didn't get his homework done.
FOKLAES
What this field is crying out for is someone with signifiant Red Cross experience! How is your candidate doing on gathering petition signatures Fokles?
Oh,and when is he going to release the poll numbers you said he had gathered? At the very least that type of expense would need to be disclosed on an FEC report. Then at long last we can see who this white night is.
My candidates have decided not to run for family considerations.
Anyone can do a poll.
This doesn't excuse the lackluster performance of some of these folks.
FOKLAES
I'm not a coulson fan. But it's a pretty unbelievable stretch to say her campaign is run by the "machine"--Which machine??
and that she is responsible for the budget. How can that be when she has voted against them???
I know it is a blog and everything, but a little perspective is helpful.
It really upset me when I read that Mark Kirk hates Bill Cadigan. They might not be good buddies, might not care to share a beer and a burger, but Mark Kirk doesn't go around hating anyone. Period. Mark Kirk is one of more decent guys on this earth and he doesn't waste his time or energies hating people, so let it go. Cadigan is on his own, as all the candidates for office in the 10th should be. Hate is a nasty word, let's not use it. Agreed?
Congressional offices are close endeavors, you make no money, work together in tight quarters and your careers depend on each other. It's rare for people not to be close. If cadigan is the nominee and he and mark have beef, this could cripple GOP efforts locally to win their races. the last thing we can afford is a pissing match between campaigns that could torpedo both races. This stuff happens and it can be a cancer you can't get rid of.
Coulson is absolutely to blame for the last 12 years. As the USA Today reported today the gop has taken a massive beating in areas like this with professionals because people like her have failed to adjust to the times and come up with new policies and politics to stop the democrats. She's seriously tainted goods and clearly didn't take the same political combat course at wellsley that Hillary took. Hiring slugs from the 37th ward office to run her campaign is awful, and she need s to explain the support she's gotten from beuracrat unions that try to raise our taxes so that they can put do nothing hacks on the payroll.
FOKLAES
A lunch bucket guy with strong reform credentials from the western portion of the district like Cadigan is exactly what Kirk needs to help generate a big turnout in the 10th in the general.
Quit trying to stir up trouble where none exists.
Cadigan was far and away the best candidate at the West Deerfield meeting.
Wait, there is a lot of bs in politics, but I think someone just referred to a lawyer (Cadigan) as a lunch-bucket guy.........
Here is a picture of Cadigan with some of the other members of the Winnetka bar....
http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/print/2007/11/lunchtime-atop-a-skyscraper.jpg
-The Oracle of Mirth
Nice posts Jen and Joe (anon 11:41-12:08)... I am doing everything in my power to ensure that you and Beth are kicked to the curb in February. Good riddance to all of you at the Coulson campaign. You epitomize the garbage that is Springfield, which we certainly do not need in Washington.
Condor,
Good to see you agree with me on Coulson. The problem with her isn't that she's a moderate, it's that she's been part of a GOP that has failed to fight and lead for us. Can you please change your name or any other new poster to FOFOKLAES (Fan of Fan of King Louis Astaves the Ellen Slayer).
Love the picture. Also a job as a lawyer doesn't make you elite. Look at Catwoman she loses to us every 2 years, barry obama was also broke 9 years ago after his failed bid for congress.
Finally was glad to watch tonight on chicago tonight as Coulson is now using our tax dollars to fund job placement programs for convicted rapists at a time when the state is bleeding red ink and taxpayers-who should be in line before molesters and felons are being asked to pay more taxes. Her asking for tax hikes while funding job creation programs for rapists in a recession is exactly the kind of press release hit that GOP voters love to read. Hint Hint.
She should at least be asked why she thinks convicted burglars come before small biz.
FOKLAES
I saw Beth Coulson on "Chicago Tonight" Monday, as the GOP spokesman on ethics, transportation, and the budget. She was great. The resume-challenged Bob Dold would die for even one of these accomplishments! He's got an awful thin resume for Congress.
Anon 12:50pm, stop sniffing the crazy glue, it's killing your brain cells. Define experience...What we for too long have "experienced" is Elizabeth Coulson being a union-supporting, ultra-liberal "GOP" candidate who is now trying to be the standard bearer of the Republican Party in this district. This is the same woman who has gladly taken the endorsements of AFSCME, SEIU, AFL-CIO, and a number of other gems. Oops.
Additionally, let's look at how she has been a positive influence on business. Hmm...I can't say her most recent US Chamber of Commerce rating of 56 is very pro-business. Nor can I say previous ratings at 45 fare any better. As recently as this year she has voted for a Graduated Income Tax to the detriment of small businesses across IL. Remember Congressman Kirk consistently had US Chamber of Commerce ratings in the 90s while in the US Congress. I would expect, especially since the economy is the most pressing issue in need of attention that we elect someone of the same vein as Kirk and not some union-championing, card-check supporting bozo named Beth Coulson.
Let's all not forget the coup de grâce when Coulson tied herself to Blago, eagerly taking in his endorsement in 2006. Her most recent offense was her Obama-Coulson mailer, on how we can bring "change together" to IL. Epitome of a sellout, turncoat, fair-weather, unprincipled candidate who cannot be trusted to do the hard task and stand up for what's right.
We in the 10th CD can do so much better than Beth Coulson, a candidate who puts interests of union bosses ahead of the small business owner. We've got two phenomenal candidates from New Trier Township, Bob Dold and Dick Green, who are champions in the knowing the rigors and difficulties of managing and running a small business. They know what it's like signing the front of the check and not simply the back. Contrary to what you allege Anon, Bob Dold has far more experience in DC than you give him credit for and for that I give him the advantage. The momentum right now is in Dold's favor and I believe we need someone in DC who can truly be the right change in Washington, instead of someone who represents the decrepit filth that is Springfield.
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