Illinois Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi‘s election-night party has sparked controversy for its steep cash-bar prices, following a failed Senate primary campaign that reportedly spent over $24 million in campaign funds.
Attendees at The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago were faced with a drink menu listing water and soda at $12.85, domestic beer at $15.34, premium beer at $18.03, and wine or spirits at $21.87, according to photos shared on social media by journalists in attendance.
The pricing of the drinks quickly drew attention, given Krishnamoorthi’s heavy spending during the primary.
Federal Election Commission records show the campaign received over $30 million in total contributions, disbursed roughly $24 million, and retained nearly $7 million in cash on hand as of late February.
Despite this financial advantage, Krishnamoorthi lost the Democratic primary to Illinois Lieutenant Governor Stratton, who reported just under $4 million in receipts and slightly less than $3 million in disbursements, yet managed to secure victory by a seven-point margin with 92% of the vote counted.
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The juxtaposition of a high-spending campaign and a cash bar offering such costly drinks did not go unnoticed.
Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Gregory Royal Pratt, who attended the party, posted a photo of the menu on X, highlighting the contrast between Krishnamoorthi’s campaign spending and the event’s pricing.
“This is the kind of pricing that makes headlines,” Pratt wrote, noting that the candidate had spent millions on trying to unseat Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, yet expected attendees to pay out of pocket for basic beverages.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee also drew attention to the situation, sharing images of the limited drink options and noting that a small table of nine cans of soda and three bottles of water would have cost over $150 at the event.
The choice of venue added to the scrutiny. Westin Michigan Avenue is considered one of Chicago’s more exclusive locations, overlooking Lake Michigan in the Gold Coast district.
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Standard events at local venues, including sports arenas like nearby Wrigley Field, offer drinks at a fraction of the price of bottled water and soda, typically under $8.
Both Krishnamoorthi and other Democratic figures, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, have faced criticism for holding events with expensive drink options despite campaigning on affordability and cost-of-living issues.
Mamdani, for example, charged $13 for beer at his victory celebration, a figure that is lower than Krishnamoorthi’s domestic beer price.
Krishnamoorthi’s campaign has not responded to requests for comment regarding the party’s pricing, leaving questions about the decision to place the financial burden on attendees.
