Outside Influence On Elections

Another liberal Super PAC funded by unions from outside the region is weighing in with big money to run TV ads against Congressman Don Manzullo's conservative record on behalf of his opponent and big union supporter, Congressman Adam Kinzinger.

The Lunch Pail Republicans, a pro-union Super PAC, is running more than $70,000 in TV ads supporting Kinzinger against Manzullo. The TV buys followed four votes* by Kinzinger the past year in support of Davis-Bacon Act regulations that require public works projects to pay union wages. The Heritage Foundation estimates that Davis-Bacon regulations add nearly $11 billion to federal projects each year. Kinzinger also accepted campaign donations this year from unions. In addition, unlike Manzullo, Kinzinger has refused to co-sponsor the National Right to Work Act (H.R. 2040). This bill would free workers nationwide from paying compulsory union dues a precondition of employment.

"It's outrageous that another outside, liberal Super PAC – this one funded by labor unions -- is weighing in with big money to influence this race on behalf of my opponent, who has strongly supported their big-spending union agenda," Manzullo said. "Congressman Kinzinger voted on four occasions last year to support the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rules that add nearly $11 billion to federal construction projects each year, and now this pro-union Super PAC is rewarding him for his votes.

"This is yet another instance that confirms I'm the only candidate in this race who is serious about cutting spending, balancing the budget, and paying down the national debt," Manzullo added.

Another liberal SuperPAC, the Campaign for Primary Accountability, has already spent more than $30,000 against Manzullo in extremely derogatory mailings, emails, and robocalls. That Super PAC is funded primarily by three multi-millionaires from out of state and most recently spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of ultra-liberal Congressman Dennis Kucinich, a former Democratic Presidential contender, in his losing primary race. The liberal Super PAC has been helping Kinzinger by trying to tear down Manzullo's strong conservative voting record through misleading mailers, emails, and robocalls. It was just three weeks ago that Kinzinger got caught twisting the words of a Rockford newspaper columnist to distort Manzullo's record.

Manzullo has received numerous contacts from constituents outraged by the Super PAC's shady tactics and the attempts of this outside group of multi-millionaires to influence the local election on Kinzinger's behalf.

The Super PAC and Kinzinger have both been mounting campaigns of distortion against Manzullo in an effort to convince voters that Manzullo's superior conservative voting record is somehow a mirage. Here are the facts:

Manzullo voted last year 79 more times than Kinzinger to cut $209 billion more in spending than Kinzinger in 2011. In addition, Manzullo voted for the only budget alternative that would have cut $9.1 trillion in spending and balanced the budget within 10 years. Kinzinger voted against the bill.

Manzullo has received much higher conservative ratings than Kinzinger from national organizations that studied 2011 votes, including:

American Conservative Union lifetime scores: Manzullo 96 (#1 in Illinois ), Kinzinger 72.

Club for Growth: Manzullo 85, Kinzinger 56.

Heritage Action for America : Manzullo 84, Kinzinger 63.

Americans for Prosperity: Manzullo A+, Kinzinger B.

National Journal (conservative composite score): Manzullo 74, Kinzinger 58.

Manzullo has been endorsed by every conservative organization that has given an endorsement in this race, including:

Illinois Tea Party

American Conservative Union PAC

FreedomWorks PAC

Gun Owners of America

RedState Editor and CNN political contributor Erick Erickson

Family-PAC federal

Eagle Forum of Illinois

Illinois Federation for Right to Life PAC

Illinois Citizens for Life federal PAC

Illinois Conservatives (4,000 conservatives across Illinois under 35 years old)

The Madison Project (national pro-life, pro-family group)

60 Plus Association (boasts more than 7 million conservative senior activists)

Editorial Note: Due to the generosity of those involved in the redistricting process,  McHenry County voters no long have the representation of Congressman Manzullo.