Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy’s company donated $500,000 to former Ald. Bob Fioretti’s mayoral campaign committee over the weekend, giving the second-time candidate a major financial boost.
Guy’s company, GBG Enterprise, Inc., made the contribution Saturday, records show. It’s a contribution that’s the single largest from an individual donor to any of the 15 mayoral contenders to date.
During an interview about the donation, Fioretti paused and said, “I am breathless.”
“I am so humbled and honored by his support,” Fioretti said. “He’s a longtime friend.”
Fioretti said he didn’t recall when the two first met or how their relationship started but noted that he was quoted by the Washington Post when Buddy Guy was honored at the Kennedy Center in 2012.
A slideshow caption still on the Post’s website notes that Fioretti “helped have the block in front of Buddy Guy’s Legends renamed in Guy’s honor.”
Before Guy’s contribution, public policy consultant Amara Enyia had been the recipient of the biggest campaign donation so far in the race: $400,000 last week from Chance the Rapper. Enyia’s campaign has been considered a long shot in the crowded field of candidates, many with more experience and better-known political pedigrees.
But the support of Chance and fellow star rapper Kanye West, who also has given Enyia a combined $200,000, has helped draw attention to Enyia’s campaign. Fioretti only can hope that the infusion of cash similarly boosts his campaign, which also is considered a long shot.
Until the donation, Fioretti lagged far behind many other candidates in the race, including former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, City Hall veteran Gery Chico and Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.
Fioretti was a noted critic of Mayor Rahm Emanuel on the City Council, where he served from 2007 to 2015. Fioretti, however, endorsed Emanuel against Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia after failing to make the runoff.
At the time, Fioretti acknowledged his backing of Emanuel came as he sought to retire substantial debt owed to his mayoral campaign. Emanuel said he would help Fioretti raise money, but both the mayor and the alderman said that had nothing to do with the endorsement.
Fioretti finished fourth in 2015 with roughly 7 percent of the vote, behind Emanuel, Garcia and businessman Willie Wilson.
Fioretti also ran for county board president earlier this year against Preckwinkle, portraying himself as an anti-tax reformer in an attempt to capitalize on backlash over Preckwinkle’s soda tax. He was not successful.
Though Preckwinkle handily defeated Fioretti, some political observers have noted that Fioretti garnered about 40 percent of the vote and said it’s a sign the pop tax continues to resonate against her.
Guy’s representatives did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
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January 22, 2019 at 02:36PM
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