Breaking down Johnson, Vallas campaign contributions in the mayoral runoff
In the three weeks since Chicago voters narrowed a crowded field of nine mayoral candidates to two — Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and former CPS CEO Paul Vallas — Vallas has raised $5.6 million in campaign contributions to Johnson’s $3.9 million.
The two candidates have raised a whopping $9.6 million since Election Day in their quest to succeed outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot, according to reports to the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Ahead of the April 4 runoff, they’re on track to blow past the $10.2 million they already reported collecting in the months leading to the Feb 28 election.
Johnson’s total also includes $1.4 million in contributions too small to be immediately reported to the state, which shows “the majority of our contributions are small-dollar, while the majority of our opponent's contributions are high-dollar,” campaign spokesman Ronnie Reese says.
Vallas campaign spokesman Philip Swibinski did not provide a total of smaller contributions but says, “We have been able to attract over 1,000 individual contributors, with the vast majority being located in Chicago because Paul's message of putting crime reduction and public safety first is resonating with people throughout the community.”
Candidates in Illinois aren’t required to report the names of contributors who give less than $150 per quarter but must report the totals received four times a year.
Money given, loans, transfers and in-kind contributions all are listed here as contributions.
Where's the money coming from?
Johnson
$2,521,017 31% of all itemized contributionsVallas
$5,669,150 69% of all itemized contributions
56% of itemzied contributions came from inside Chicago
an additional 21% came from inside Illinois
leaving Johnson with 23% of itemized contributions coming from outside the state.
70% of itemized contributions came from inside Chicago
an additional 26% came from inside Illinois
4% came from outside of Illinois
When broken down by income within Chicago, Johnson’s itemized contributions primarily come from ZIP codes where the median income is less than $75,000.
Vallas’ contributions come from wealthier Chicago ZIP codes.
Johnson
Vallas
$25,000
$50,000
$75,000
$100,000
$125,000
$150,000
$200,000
$225,000
N/A
Outside Chicago
The majority of Johnson's itemzied contributions in Chicago come from areas where the median income is between $50k and $75k.
When broken down by education level, contributions from ZIP codes where more residents tend to have a bachelor’s degree or higher skewed in favor of Vallas.
Johnson
Vallas
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
N/A
Outside Chicago
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
N/A
Outside ChicagoFew of these donors shifted their allegiance after the Feb. 28 election. Those who did keep writing checks had primarily supported Lori Lightfoot in the first round.
Johnson
$5,000 (0.2% of contributions)Vallas
$160,000 (3% of contributions)
Originally contributed to
Johnson held onto a share of loyal supporters who had contributed to him in the first round of voting and then gave again for the runoff, making up 70% of Johnson’s itemized contributions ahead of round two of voting.
Vallas instead attracted an influx of brand new contributors. His return contributors account for 39% of what he’s collected toward the runoff.
Johnson
Vallas
