Blair Hull - Democratic candidate

Blair Hull

Blair Hull, 60, lives in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. He is entrepreneur with an impressive career both in business and in promoting women’s rights. He currently owns Matlock Capital.

After graduating in 1965 from University of California, Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s in mathematics and in 1969 from Santa Clara University with an MBA, Hull worked as a high school math and physics teacher.

In 1980, he moved to Chicago and founded a financial exchange company, Hull Trading Co., and later served on the board of directors for the Chicago Board Options and the Options Clearing Corporation. During this time, Hull stood up for Title IX, which provided more opportunities for women’s sports and even endowed the first chair in women’s studies at his alma mater. He’s a board member for the Women’s Sports Foundation.

In 1998, Hull endowed the first chair in women's studies at his alma mater. He serves on the Board of the Women's Sports Foundation.

He has no experience in politics, although he has contriubed to a number of campaigns, including Rod Blagojevich's successful bid for governor. He is pro-choice, and has come out strongly in favor of gay rights, and supports efforts to amend state and federal protection gender protections. He is for expansion at O’Hare airport.

Though he is not required to by law, Hull has placed a limit of $100 on individual contributions to his campaign. He has also promised not to accept money from lobbyists political action committees, although he will no doubt tap into nearly $40 million of his personal fortune to finance in his campaign for the primary nomination.

Throughout his campaign, Hull has been organized bus trips to Canada, where senior citizens can buy medications for less.

Recent activities: Hull's been doing damage control after the media reported on his contentious divorce. In records released at Hull's request, Hull's ex-wife claimed he threatened her, called her vulgar names and hit her in the shin. Hull denies much of these claims, and they were never proven. Hull and his ex-wife are on friendly terms today and she supports his candidacy.

Selected endorsements: Rep. Bobby Rush

For more information about Blair Hull, visit his 2004 primary campaign site at www.blairhull.com or attend a Blair Hull MeetUp.

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