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Ramey leads fundraising in race for 23rd Senate seat

Republican candidates in the 23rd State Senate District primary have received campaign contributions from relatives, unions, horse racing organizations and even the political action committee of the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois.

But so far, campaign records show, Sen. Carole Pankau and Rep. Randy Ramey have not received any money from Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno as they battle for their party's nomination in the March 20 primary.

In the race to represent the 23rd District, which includes parts of Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Itasca and Villa Park, Pankau had $23,428 at the end of 2011 and Ramey had $36,004, according to quarterly financial reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Ramey, of Carol Stream, pulled $5,000 from his stepfather, former Senate President James “Pate” Philip, and another $5,000 from the Illinois Political Action Committee for Education, the report shows.

Since 2011 ended, Ramey said his campaign balance has increased to about $52,000 with the addition of $14,000 more from the Illinois Political Action Committee for Education and two other $1,000 donations also reported to the board of elections.

Pankau, who received donations from groups such as the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Arlington Park Race Course and the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois, said Thursday she has been using some funds to run ads on cable TV.

Records show she received one more $1,000 donation since filing her quarterly report for the end of 2011, bringing her campaign account to $24,428.

Fundraising totals are smaller among the three Democratic candidates also running in the March 20 primary.

Villa Park Village President Tom Cullerton had $4,760 at the end of 2011, according to his fourth quarter financial report; and records show Greg Brownfield of Bartlett had $2,396 at the year's end.

No fundraising records were available from the board of elections for candidate Kevin Allen of Addison. Allen said he has yet to establish a committee to manage campaign funds and so far has collected less than $3,000.

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