Illinois House Eight: Duckworth team calling out Raja new SuperPac

Illinois House hopeful Raja Krishnamoorthi is getting a SuperPac boost in his eighth congressional district Democratic battle against Tammy Duckworth, with his close allies poised to pour money into the contest in the closing days of the campaign.

Duckworth advisor Pete Giangreco said in a Friday afternoon conference call it was “unprecedented” in Illinois for a SuperPac to be created for a Democratic primary contest. Giangreco called on the SuperPac to disclose its donors.

Krishnamoorthi is lagging behind Duckworth in fund-raising and a boost of cash via a SuperPac could get help him by bankrolling television commercials.

According to the Duckworth campaign, Suburban Voters for Choice filed with the FEC on March 6 as a Super PAC supporting Krishnamoorthi.

“Earlier this week, Chicago cable stations received phone inquiries from Suburban Voters for Choice regarding a television buy,” the campaign said.

SuperPacs are supposed to operate without coordinating with a campaign but are often run by close allies who are familiar with the messages–positive and negative–a campaign wants out.

Suburban Voters for Choice names Michael Vainisi as its Treasurer and J.B. Mantz as its Assistant Treasurer.

Noted the Duckworth campaign, “Both Vainisi and Mantz worked for Raja Krishamoorthi on his failed 2010 race for Comptroller. Vainisi served as Finance Director and Mantz served as a Senior Advisor.”