Biss Boasts Cure For 'BSBS' In Digital Ad

EVANSTON, IL — In a digital ad modeled after a pharmaceutical advertisement, Sen. Daniel Biss's campaign claims he's the cure for an "epidemic of rich guys trying to buy elections." The mock drug commercial features the fictional "Big Spending Billionaire Syndrome," (or "BSBS") and comes complete with a list of side effects.

The nearly 90-second describes Biss as "100 percent progressive" and "fast-acting" with "all grassroots." The ad (watch below) was released online Thursday, with just over a year to go before the general election but less than five months before the Democratic primary election.

The opening of the spot, depicting the invented malady, compares the Evanston state senator's Democrat opponents in the upcoming primary with Gov. Bruce Rauner and President Donald Trump. It goes on to the same people who "profit from our rigged system" are promising to fix it.

The race for governor is projected to become the most expensive in United States history, and Biss's campaign has repeatedly highlighted the fact his opponents have yet to disclose their tax returns. Forbes estimates two of his opponents have family fortunes of more than $1 billion, and the incumbent governor has said he has assets of close to $1 billion, according to the Associated Press.

One of candidates the video depicts as "rich guys bombarding you with their money," J.B. Pritzker, has so far given more than $28 million of his own money to his campaign for governor. The billionaire hotel heir and longtime Democratic donor this week announced his campaign was spending about $1 million to air radio and digital ads promoting the open enrollment period on Healthcare.gov.

Another Democratic candidate shown beside Gov. Bruce Rauner and President Donald Trump, millionaire Christopher Kennedy, has also contributed his own money (although far less of it) to his bid for governor, giving himself about $500,000.

Kennedy has also raised close to $3 million from other donors. Biss has reported just over $2 million in contributions and has yet to purchase a television ad, choosing to focus on digital media so far.

The seven candidates in the March 20 primary have reported more than $100 million in combined contributions over the past year, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.

_{Top photo via Youtube}