The Center for Public Integrity says Illinois' new governor is one of the "sugar daddies of states politics."
The money new Governor Bruce Rauner poured into his first-ever campaign for office wasn't just gargantuan by Illinois standards. The Center compiled and reviewed all of the campaign donations that rolled into state races across the nation.
Rauner and his wife Diana come in seventh. All of other entities ranked above him are just that: entities, like the Republican and Democratic Governors Associations (which came in first, and second), or campaign committees. The Rauners are first on the list who are individuals.
The study says Rauner's one of 20 candidates who put more than a million dollars into his own campaign.
Counting contributions Rauner made after winning the governor's office, he's poured $37 million of his personal fortune into his own campaign committee.
Which is why Rauner makes an appearance on the Center for Public Integrity's "Who tried to buy the 2014 elections" list a second time; his committee turned around and gave millions to the state GOP, earning Rauner's campaign committee the #40 slot.
Two other Illinois organizations made the "Top 50" donors to state races list. The Illinois Education Association --- which supported Rauner's opponent, former Governor Pat Quinn --- ranked 29th. And the Illinois Democratic Party, which House Speaker Michael Madigan runs, is 43rd.
