Losing Democrat Candidate Charges 13 Bucks For Water After Dumping $24,000,000 On Failed Bid
Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois hosted an election party where a cash bar charged nearly $13 for water and soda and more than $20 for wine.
The campaign of Krishnamoorthi, who lost the Illinois Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday, hosted the celebration at the Westin Michigan Avenue in Chicago, according to a photo shared by Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Gregory Royal Pratt. The reporter, who said in an
“In case you’re wondering, the Senate candidate spent over $20 million to succeed [Democratic Illinois Sen.] Dick Durbin, but the campaign party is a cash bar,” Pratt wrote in his post.
Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show Krishnamoorthi’s failed campaign’s total receipts at more than $30 million, his total disbursements at about $24 million, and his cash on hand at nearly $7 million, for coverage ending February 25. same coverage period.
At Raja Krishnamoorthi’s election night. In case you’re wondering, the Senate candidate spent more than $20 million to succeed Dick Durbin, but the campaign party is a cash bar. pic.twitter.com/apNd7tDfLj
– Grégory Royal Pratt (@royalpratt) March 17, 2026
Although he was significantly outperformed, Stratton still beat Krishnamoorthi by seven percentage points, the Associated Press (AP) reported, with 92% of the vote counted.
Krishnamoorthi’s campaign did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Founding partner of Democratic polling firm Zenith Research, Adam Carlson responded to Pratt’s post by writing on »
Sarah Gallagher of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) responded to the Chicago Tribune reporter’s post Wednesday with a photo of a table with nine cans of soda and three bottles of water, adding “so that drinks table would cost $154.20.”
so this drinks table would cost $154.20 https://t.co/WJykh3nYmp pic.twitter.com/cfJugxsWij
–Sarah Gallagher (@sgallz_) March 18, 2026
The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago bills itself as “one of Chicago’s most desirable locations, right on Lake Michigan in the coveted Gold Coast neighborhood,” according to the hotel’s website.
Nearby Wrigley Field, home of Krishnamoorthi’s beloved Chicago Cubs, charged just $7.99 for bottled water and soda, The New York Times’ The Athletic reported in April 2025.
Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also faced scrutiny for including a cash bar at his November 2025 victory party. However, Mamdani only charged $13 for beer at his bar, two dollars less than Krishnamoorthi’s proposed price for local beers.
Both Mamdani and Krishnamoorthi placed particular emphasis on affordability and cost of living during their respective campaigns.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news service, is available free to any legitimate news publisher capable of delivering a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and DCNF affiliation. For questions about our guidelines or our partnership, please contact licenses@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
