Why Are We Even Electing a State Comptroller This Year? Let Alone a Super-Expensive One.

Why Are We Even Electing a State Comptroller This Year? Let Alone a Super-Expensive One.

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Like other statewide officials, the Comptroller usually gets elected during non-presidential years. Republican Judy Baar Topinka was re-elected to the office in November 2014 but died before her new term could begin. Republicans wanted to let Governor Bruce Rauner make a four-year appointment. Democrats wanted a special election after two years—and they had super-majorities in both houses of the legislature. The race has pulled in more than 10 million dollars in campaign contributions so far.