CHICAGO - Sun Times' Abdon Pallasch reported Monday on a fundraiser Congressional Democrats held in Chicago over the weekend. The DCCC is targeting Illinois Republican House veteran Judy Biggert, as well as freshmen Joe Walsh and Bobby Schilling, with hopes of regaining the U.S. House majority and putting Nancy Pelosi back in as House Speaker in 2013.
[U.S. Rep. Steve]Israel said the candidates themselves, especially those in Illinois have exceeded his expectations in raising money.
“They have out-raised the Republicans — that is not supposed to happen,” he said.
Iraqi war vet Tammy Duckworth has outraised freshman Tea Party favorite and incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh (D-Ill.) in the northwest suburbs. Former Rep. Bill Foster has outraised current Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) in the west suburbs. Cheri Bustos has outraised Bobby Schilling in northwest Illinois. In southwest Illinois, Brad Harriman has outraised Jason Plummer.
The Harriman-Plummer bid is to fill retiring Democrat U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello's open 12th CD seat.
On the North Shore, financial consultant Brad Schneider has come close to but has not outraised freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Dold in a district newly redrawn to favor Democrats.
Israel has listed all five of those races as “red-to-blue” — his party’s top-tier listing for races the Demcorats hope to win. The designation lets Democratic donors know the party considers it a worthwhile investment.
