Claypool raised more campaign funds than every other candidate in 2005, ending the first half of the year with over $900,000. Most pundits agreed that the Democratic primary was the real election, as Cook County is one of the most Democratic counties in the entire nation. Claypool won the support of many newspapers, including the "Chicago Tribune", the "Chicago Sun-Times", "Crain's Chicago Business", the "Daily Herald", the "Daily Southtown", and others. In addition, he was endorsed by Rep. Rahm Emanuel and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.