US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently led fundraiser for Jim Oberweis' campaign
SUGAR GROVE – Among numerous Republicans who've said they're running to regain the 14th CD from the Democrats, Lake County Republicans will be backing State Senator Jim Oberweis in the March 2020 GOP Primary, they decided Saturday.
Lake County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mark Shaw said, “All of the Republican candidates seeking the nomination for US Representative from the 14th Congressional District had an opportunity to make their case that they would be the best candidate to win the General Election in 2020. Jim Oberweis earned the endorsement because he made the strongest case for success against Rep. Lauren Underwood. We need a candidate who stands up for our Republican values, and who has a path for victory in the race for US Representative in the 14th District. Jim Oberweis checks all of these boxes.”
The 14th Congressional District is widely considered a seat Republicans can retake because Donald Trump won the district in 2016.
“If Republicans are going to retake the House in 2020, it starts with the 14th Congressional District in Illinois,” Oberweis said. “But the first step to defeating Lauren Underwood is to win the nomination and garnering the support of the Lake County Republican Party is a big step forward for this campaign. I am honored and humbled to have their endorsement."
Despite Lake County GOP's endorsement, the number of GOP candidates interested in the race makes the primary winner still unpredictable.
James Marter, another candidate in the 14th CD GOP primary, told Illinois Review over the weekend that he's been knocking on doors in the 14th CD, and he's heard from residents time and time again how they could not support Oberweis in 2020.
"He can't be taking into consideration all the negatives he has in the district," Marter said.
Other GOP candidates reportedly circulating petitions in the 14th CD include State Senator Sue Rezin, Anthony Catella, Jerry Evans, Ted Gradel, Catalina Lauf and Danny Malouf.
