Competence vs Incompetence

Republican Pat O’Brien outraising Democrat Kim Foxx in Cook County state’s attorney money battle. O'Brien is pulling ahead but it's still tight.


Campaign reports on file Thursday showed the Democratic incumbent had roughly $216,590.45 to spend, while O’Brien had at least $427,326.62. But with contribution limits blown by the Republican’s self-financing, donors are now free to give as much as they want to either candidate.

By Rachel Hinton Updated Oct 15, 2020, 10:31pm CDT

Republican nominee Pat O’Brien, left, in July; Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, right, in March. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times-file; Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file


With less than three weeks until the final votes can be cast, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx is heading into the home stretch of her re-election bid with the potential to be outspent nearly two-to-one by Republican rival Pat O’Brien.

The Democratic incumbent reported having $202,290.45 left in her campaign coffers at the end of last month, and available filings show only $14,300 raised since then, giving her roughly $216,590.45 to spend.

O’Brien had $225,653.34 in the bank at the end of last month and has reported raising $201,673.28 since then, giving the former Cook County judge at least $427,326.62 to spend.

And the Republican notified the Illinois State Board of Elections Wednesday that the $70,000 he lent his campaign the day before brought the total he’d personally dumped into his campaign war chest to $101,075.91.

That effectively lifts the limits all candidates in the race can accept from donors or themselves.

O’Brien said even before now, he’s “been outraising Kim Foxx.”

“Cook County residents have seen firsthand how Kim Foxx has failed to protect our families, victims of crime, and neighborhoods,” O’Brien said in a statement. “I look forward to a spirited final stretch in this campaign. I once again implore Kim Foxx to be transparent and give Cook County residents the debates they have been asking for.”

The reports filed Thursday cover all campaign finance activity from July 1 through Sept. 30. On top of that, campaigns must report larger contributions they receive with 48 hours of their receipt.

Foxx reported raising $232,785.84 in the three-month period that ended two weeks ago. The $14,300 was raised since then.