With less than four months to go until the election, the two candidates vying for the seat of retiring U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde have raised almost equal sums, with Democrat Tammy Duckworth edging Republican Peter Roskam by about $16,000.
Both have raised a little shy of $1.9 million, but from sources that demonstrate the sharp contrasts in a race that is key nationally in Democratic efforts to overturn the Republican majority in Congress. Duckworth’s money has come primarily from individuals, as has Roskam’s, but more of her contributors live outside the 6th District.
Without a contested primary in March, Roskam has been able to save more, with about $1.3 million left to Duckworth’s $902,000, according to campaign filings last weekend to the Federal Election Commission. He built on that total Wednesday with a fundraiser in Addison with U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.
Individual supporters gave more than $1.4 million to Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran from Hoffman Estates, and $1.1 million to Roskam, a Wheaton attorney who began serving in the Illinois legislature in 1993.
The high-profile campaign has drawn national support with entertainers contributing to Duckworth. She received $2,000 from Barbra Streisand, $2,100 from singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and $2,100 from comedian Rosie O’Donnell.
Roskam spokesman Ryan McLaughlin pointed out that of the hundreds of contributions Duckworth has received, just a few dozen that met the $200 threshold for itemization by the FEC came from 6th District residents, a total he called “anemic.” Roskam has received more than 500 in-district donations of $200 or more, he said.
“This is a pattern,” McLaughlin said. “She consistently raises money outside of the district she hopes to represent. This campaign is completely financed by those who cannot vote for Tammy Duckworth, and who is she going to be listening to if she’s elected to Congress?”
Duckworth’s campaign says it has 240 contributions from district residents overall, though most gave less than $200.
“She’s seeing support in the district and it’s apparent when she talks about the issues with people on a day-to-day basis in communities all over the district,” said spokeswoman Christine Glunz.
Duckworth’s fundraising total is far more than any Democratic candidate ever has amassed in the district, which Republicans long considered a safe seat. Democrats believe changing demographics in the mostly middle-class suburbs have tilted it their way, but they still have little political fundraising infrastructure on which to rely since the GOP holds almost every public office.
According to the filings, both candidates already appear to have many friends on Capitol Hill, with political action committees representing Republican senators and representatives kicking in $204,250 to Roskam’s effort. Democratic lawmakers provided $112,200 to Duckworth.
Roskam’s support from fellow politicians ranks him first nationally among non-incumbent House candidates, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. That is a sign of how hard Republicans intend to fight to defend the seat.
Glunz said it also shows how Roskam is in step with GOP leadership.
“Nothing is going to change in Washington if Peter Roskam becomes a member of Congress,” Glunz said.
Both candidates have received considerable support from political action committees traditionally associated with their parties.
Roskam received $4,950 from the National Rifle Association and $5,000 from Campaign for Working Families, a PAC founded by conservative activist Gary Bauer.
Duckworth got $10,000 from the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and many of her individual contributors came to her through EMILY’s List, a grass-roots network that backs Democratic female candidates who support abortion rights. On Thursday, she will be endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, an environmental group that could provide her more contributions and ads.
Roskam’s private sector supporters include the American Bankers Association, R.J. Reynolds, SBC Communications and the National Beer Wholesalers Association. The American Medical Association also is backing Roskam, while the American Nurses Association is behind Duckworth.
In May, Roskam touted endorsements from the Teamsters and the International Union of Operating Engineers–which contributed $10,000 of the $11,000 in organized labor support he has received. But overall, labor is clearly in Duckworth’s camp. She’s received $163,250 from unions, including those that represent state, county and municipal workers, teachers, firefighters, airline pilots and bricklayers.
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jbiemer@tribune.com
