When it comes to fielding their own candidate in a crowded Chicago mayoral race, business leaders have passed. But they are clearly determined to prevent a sharp left turn by the city council in transition.
Mike Krumler, who ran former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s 2015 re-election campaign, said Tuesday he plans to file papers within the next two weeks to form an independent spending committee funded by business leaders with the aim of electing A moderate alderman like him. In other words, “work horses – not show horses”.
“Those who are interested in coming to council to be part of the solution, not dropping bombs from the sidelines,” Ruemmler said.
Asked to describe what he cares about most, Ruemmler said: “My way or the highway mentality. People who put the best interests of the city, maybe not themselves, people who like to solve problems with their colleagues Seems to be disappearing.”
Senior Alder. Nick Sposato (38day) told The Sun-Times that he fears the departure of more experienced, collaborative and mainstream colleagues could pave the way for the election of a new city council, which will shift sharply to the left.
The outspoken Sposato has said he is particularly concerned about the election of what he calls “lefties,” whom he defines as liberal lawmakers who support more government giveaways and want to defund the police.
Ruemmler has resisted going that far, because United Working Families, a progressive group close to the Chicago teachers union, has backed 18 candidates for city council.
He simply noted that business leaders, including former Chicago Sun-Times investor Michael Sachs, are very concerned about the number of vacancies and possible actions by the City Council.
“There has been some concern about the direction the council has taken the past few years. We really want to help elect people who are collaborative and want to work with their colleagues to solve the problems we have in the city,” Ruemmler said.
“I’ve had more calls today than any day since I left City Hall from people interested, wanting to help, wanting to be donors. Some from business. Some from organized labor. This won’t It’s a dark money PAC. That way everyone can see where the money is coming from and where it’s going to be spent.”
Ruemmler said he had a “commitment” but declined to say how much.
“I want it to hit seven figures. We’re going to play in as many wards as possible. As many as we need,” Ruemmler said, pegging the number at “somewhere between 17 and 23” wards .
“We’re going to send out a questionnaire to all candidates. Everyone is welcome to respond to that. We’ll evaluate these and see where we can make the biggest impact.”
In a text message to The Sun Times, Sachs confirmed plans to donate to the new PAC, which has not yet been named.
“I think this is a good team and an important, smart idea. I plan to support this effort,” Grosvenor Capital Management CEO Sachs wrote.
In 2015, Emanuel’s allies created Forward Chicago, a super PAC that spent $4 million to reelect Emanuel and strengthen his majority on the city council.
Although it raised money from many of the people who made significant contributions to Emanuel, the first round of big-money efforts suffered serious setbacks.
Of the money Chicago Forward spent on mayoral allies, 64 percent went to candidates forced into the runoff; 31 percent went to the winner and 5 percent went to the two losers.
The smaller amount was spent against two of the council’s most outspoken critics of the mayor.
Scott Vargerspark (No. 32) easily won re-election after the Chicago forward spent $6,000 to oust him.
Then -Ald. John Arena (No. 45) was forced into a runoff and ultimately survived a runoff with John Garrido thanks to strong support from the union, well in excess of the nearly $20,000 the pro-Emanuel PAC spent against him.
Becky Carroll, Emanuel’s longtime confidante who once ran the Chicago Forward party, argued at the time that the effort “helped re-elect 18 city councilors and bring 12 of the 13 who faced runoff elections to the polls.” become the most vote-getters in their constituencies.”
She also pointed out that a long list of union groups opposed to Emanuel spent almost twice as much on the city council race as the Progressive Chicago Party.
Ruemmler emphasized that there is a “big difference” between the Chicago Forward and the PAC he chairs.
“It is well known that Chicago Forward exists to help Ram and candidates associated with Ram. And we are not affiliated with any mayoral campaign or any alderman campaign,” he said.