Mike Madigan Stretches in Claim About Primary Opponent's Campaign Funding

Is Jason Gonzales a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gov. Bruce Rauner and his associates as Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan claims?

Madigan, who has served as speaker for all but two years since 1983, was challenged in the 2016 Democratic primary election for the 22nd District by Jason Gonzales, an entrepreneur and high school dropout who went on to receive degrees from Duke, MIT and Harvard. Despite labeling himself as a progressive, Gonzales had the backing of Republicans and supporters of Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Nearly six months after being defeated in the primary by more than 38 percentage points, Gonzales filed a lawsuit on Aug. 8 accusing Madigan — who also is chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party — of dozens of illegal and fraudulent acts during the election season.

The 39-count suit accuses Madigan and others of defaming Gonzales by calling him a convicted felon in campaign ads and committing fraud by putting up two “fake” candidates on the ballot to “dilute” the Latino vote, among other allegations.

In response to the lawsuit, Madigan issued a statement calling Gonzales’ claims without merit, but one sentence in particular stood out: “Gonzales’ losing campaign against me last spring was funded with more than $1 million from supporters and allies of Governor Bruce Rauner.”

While it’s no secret Gonzales was backed by Republicans and supporters of Rauner — Madigan’s biggest political foe — is it true his campaign was funded with more than $1 million from them?

Here's how Madigan's claim rates on the Truth-O-Meter.

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