Quigley's Polling Numbers, Fundraising Success, Key Endorsement Combine to Establish him as Front-Runner in 5th District Race

Press Release

Quigley's polling numbers, fundraising success, key endorsement combine to establish him as frontrunner in 5th District race

His record as leading advocate for change & reform matches mood of electorate in post-Blagojevich Illinois

As January comes to an end, Mike Quigley's campaign for Congress continues to surge ahead with demonstrated success in the areas of fundraising, support in a recent poll of Fifth District voters and a key endorsement that reinforces his stature as one of the leading voices of reform in Illinois government.

In recent days, Quigley earned the endorsement of Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool, an ally in his efforts to fight for reform county government and oppose county board president Todd Stroger's record tax hikes and bloated budgets. Claypool's announcement of support for Quigley underscores his commitment to continue fighting on behalf of taxpayers in the U.S. Congress.

Claypool, a long-time friend and close ally of President Obama, also said that Quigley is the candidate best able to partner with the new president to fight for change. Even before Claypool's endorsement, Quigley held the clear edge in polling conducted of district voters. According to recent poll numbers, Quigley leads all other Democratic candidates in the race. In addition, his name recognition is the highest of all candidates, and he has higher favorability rating than any of the candidates in the race.

Quigley held an almost 2 to 1 margin over the next closest candidate, state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz when voters were asked to choose from a field seven candidates. Quigley received 19 percent to Feigenholtz's 11 percent; state Rep. John Fritchey was third, with 8 percent. Quigley also led as the second-choice of voters. In two-way match-ups, Quigley led
Feigenholtz by a margin of 13 points (30 to 17 percent). He led Fritchey by 19-points, 32 to 13 percent.

Meanwhile, Quigley's fundraising continues to move forward at a rapid pace. Despite beginning his fundraising weeks later than other candidates in the race, the campaign has raised more than $250,000 to date. Documents to be filed this weekend with the FEC will show that $138,000 was raised as of Dec. 31. The fundraising is certain to accelerate with the appointment of two well-known Chicago-area business leaders, William Brandt and Henry Feinberg, to the campaign.

Brandt and Feinberg were announced this week as finance co-chairs of the Quigley campaign.
Brandt brings a wealth of experience raising money for top-tier Democratic candidates in the Chicago-area and around the nation. In 2006, Brandt served as finance chair for Tammy Duckworth's campaign for Congress, helping the first-time candidate raise a seven-figure campaign fund in one of the most closely-watched races in the country in 2006. He
played a key fundraising role for Hillary Clinton's campaign for President, and was among the top national fundraisers for President Bill Clinton.

Feinberg, former chairman and CEO of Rand McNally, is a technology-entrepreneur, and currently a partner at Technology Crossover Ventures and has more than 25 years of Fortune 500 experience in operations and transaction. At Rand McNally, the world's largest global provider of geographic information in print and electronic media, Feinberg helped lead the charge into the new economy. Under Feinberg's leadership, the company made the successful transformation to a branded, fully digital, distribution driven, multimedia information company.
Quigley's record fighting for reform and against "politics as usual" in Cook County, combined with his pledge to fight the special interests in Washington, is a key factor in his success.

"At its heart, this campaign is a referendum on reform— and on which candidate is best equipped and most committed to delivering real change in Washington," Quigley said, "and I am pleased that the people of this district identify me as the person ready, willing and able to do just that."

"The people of this district are hungry to maintain the momentum for change that began with the election of President Obama, and are equally eager to turn the page on the disgraceful behavior of Rod Blagojevich," Quigley said. "I am gratified that my record of fighting for reform is already top-of-mind for voters across the district, and I am pleased to know that we will have the ability to spread that message to even more voters between now and election day." Quigley's stature as a leading voice for reform is the result of ten years of service on the Cook County Board where he has led the effort to fight corruption, hold the line on skyrocketing taxes and end "politics-as-usual." He has led the fight against Todd Stroger's record sales tax increase and against property tax hikes that impact seniors. He has authored multiple reports on wasteful spending by the county and on tax-giveaways that divert funding from schools and public safety. His environmental record has earned him the title of Chicago's "greenest politician."

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