Campaign season is here. We dive into 17 Illinois races.—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 69

We’re unofficially officially back in campaign season as we enter Labor Day weekend. You know we’re back in campaign season when we only cover 3 topics because we have so much to say.

Joining host Collin Corbett in the Smoke-Filled Room this week are State Senator Andrew Chesney, The Illinoize founder and WMAY Morning Show host Patrick Pfingsten, and longtime politico and attorney Angel Garcia, along with Cor’s political experts Chris Jackowiak and Michael Butler.

Strap in because we cover a lot of ground in the first topic. Illinois Republicans and Democrats have been polling House districts to determine their November targets and our panel has a lot to say. We share insight, message strategy, and what it’ll take for Republicans to win key races throughout the state. We talk about nearly 20 races so some will be in your backyard!

Senator Chesney and Patrick turn our next topic into our “Boy that Escalated Quickly” topic as they debate the Republicans’ strategy to defeat Democrats in November as Democrats start their mail program with a strong anti-politician theme. 

Then we close with our own analysis of the Democrat’s (and Pritzker’s) Think Big America message analysis they released at the DNC Convention. They telegraph their strategy for Republicans and tell us how they intend to win. Probably a good idea to pay attention.

Agenda:
00:00: Introductions
03:20: House Republicans and Democrats Polling to Determine Their November Targets
05:40: HD82 La Ha v Akhras
07:19: HD48 Sanalitro v Vesey
08:45: HD79 Haas v Morgan
11:15: HD47 Grant v Williamson & HD52 McLaughlin v Peterson
11:56: HD104 Schweitzer v Clem & HD114 Schmidt v Greenwood
21:26: HD45 Reboletti v Deuter
22:02: HD51 Ufodike v Syed
22:13: HD112 Keeven v Stuart
22:46: HD76 Bishop v Briel
32:47: HD91 Anderson v Chung & HD97 Shanahan v Benton
33:55: HD81 Porter v Stava-Murray
35:02: HD49 Billingsley v Hirschauer
35:39: HD61 Mitchell v Mason
36:27: HD46 Stevens v Blair-Sherlock
39:01: House Democrats Start Mail Program with Strong Anti-Politician Theme
50:32: Boy that Escalated Quickly: Chesney v Pfingsten on Whether ILGOP Is Conservative Enough
58:17: Dems Are So Cocky, They Published Their 2024 Strategy—GOP Should Pay Attention
01:19:30: OG & Clown of the Week
01:22:40: Closing Thoughts