Some politicians raise money so they can spend heavy on advertising. Not Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Miller.
The key to his quarter century of elective success: keeping his supporters well-sated.
More than 40 percent of the $205,090 the Republican has raised for his own political campaigns since 2002 has gone to liquor stores, wineries and restaurants, according to a McHenry Times analysis.
The analysis shows Miller has spent just two of every five dollars he raised-- $42,149 over fourteen years-- on traditional political marketing and communications expenses, like direct mail, campaign signs, and parade materials.
Miller has spent more than twice as much-- $87,977-- on food and drink, including $26,278 at three California wineries, $39,297 at Orchard Prime Meats & Wine Shoppe and $2,946 at Volume Liquors, both in Cary.
Miller has given another 30 percent of his campaign funds away to various local charities and fellow political candidates, including State Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry), McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim, Retired State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) and failed Republican candidate for state representative, Carolyn Schofield of Crystal Lake.
Three of the four have endorsed Miller for re-election to his post, which he has held since taking over for his father in 1993.
Miller also spent $7,509 (four percent) on reimbursements to himself and family members for services and various expenses, including his wife, Anna May Miller, his son Robert John Miller and his daughers, Mallory Rosencrans and Rebecca Lee.
Miller did not return repeated calls for comment for this story.
The Mautino affair: campaign spending under scrutiny
The case of former Illinois State Representative-turned-Auditor General Frank Mautino has increased public scrutiny of campaign spending.
Mautino spent heavily at local restaurants and on auto repairs, leading to a state investigation and calls for his resignation.
The Illinois State Board of Elections does not outline specifically the purposes for which campaign donations can be used. It does list what a candidate cannot do, however, including pay for a personal residence, clothing or personal laundry expenses, personal travel, the purchase of a car, or educational expenses.
Miller's heavy food and beverage spending likely covers expenses for Miller's annual "Wine & Cheese" fundraiser, for which he charges $40 per person or $70 per couple.
Still-- compared to other municipal candidates analyzed, it is unconventional.
Miller's opponent, McHenry County Board member and retired Air Force manager Andrew Gasser, reports spending $22,562 since 2014, including no food or beverage expenses.
Gasser has spent 95 percent of his donations on campaign marketing and communications, including $3,785 with Facebook and $5,335 with Curtis-Scott of Oak Brook, a campaign direct mail consultant.
Friends of the Schaumburg Township Republican Team spent $53,875 between 2008 and 2016 to elect a slate of candidates to elected township positions. Just $6,472-- or 12 percent-- was at restaurants or liquor stores.
Miller took over as commissioner of the department in 1993, after being bequeathed the position by his father, Delbert W. “Del” Miller. Before that, Delbert Miller’s father-in-law Julian Dvorak was in charge of the department from 1964 to 1976.
Citizens to Re-Elect Bob Miller Campaign Spending, 2002 to Present
| Category | Amount | Percentage |
| Food/Liquor/Wine/Restaurants | $87,977 | 42% |
| Charitable/Political Donations | $61,178 | 30% |
| Political Marketing/Communications | $42,149 | 21% |
| Family expense reimbursements/services | $7,509 | 4% |
| Administrative expenses | $5,249 | 3% |
| Gifts | $1,027 | >1% |
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