* The Hill…
Republican Ted Gradel, who is challenging freshman Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) for the Illinois House seat she flipped last year, has raised more than $150,000 in the six days since he announced his candidacy, his campaign said Tuesday.
The six-figure haul is the latest sign that Underwood is likely to face a tough reelection fight next year as she looks to hold on to a congressional district that flipped to Democrats in 2018 despite President Trump’s nearly 4-point win there in 2016.
Gradel, a former University of Notre Dame field goal kicker and first-time candidate for public office, announced his bid for the suburban and exurban Chicago district last week in a video narrated by former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz.
In declaring his candidacy, Gradel joined a growing field of Republicans targeting Underwood in 2020.
Among the other announced contenders are Illinois state Sen. Jim Oberweis, Danny Malouf and Anthony Catella.
Rep. Allen Skillicorn is also gearing up for a GOP primary bid.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Apr 30, 19 @ 5:32 pm:
If you can’t raise money from Golden Domers around Chicago, you should pack it in.
- Lefty Lefty - Tuesday, Apr 30, 19 @ 5:35 pm:
It should be an interesting primary. Oberweis, Skillicorn, and Gradel will have a lot of funding to fill our mailboxes and social media here with their ideas.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Apr 30, 19 @ 6:40 pm:
Was it all in $3 checks?
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Apr 30, 19 @ 7:19 pm:
Skillicorn and Oberweis are dream opponents. So flawed and out of step.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Apr 30, 19 @ 7:26 pm:
Don’t know anything about him don’t like amateurs running not a Dimer at all but even though I like politicians who actually worked a precinct I will never vote for other people thinking of running.
- Lynn S. - Wednesday, May 1, 19 @ 12:54 am:
Would be interested in seeing the breakdown on the fundraising. I’m guessing: $149,500 that he loaned to his campaign, and $500 from a family member with a different last name.
- Former Quigley Supporter - Wednesday, May 1, 19 @ 7:04 pm:
The $150,000 in 6 days is impressive, especially for a first time candidate. We won’t know more about these donors until July.
For comparison, Jim Oberweis’ 1st quarter FEC filing said he raised around $206,000, which included a $100,000 loan from himself. Of the contributions, Oberweis’ 5 adult children donated the maximum $2,800 each, bringing Oberweis’ non-family donations to $92,000 for 1 1/2 months.
If Skillicorn really runs, he is facing two millionaire primary opponents who will both raise and spend at least $1,000,000 each. Skillicorn does not have a record of raising that kind of money, and it’s doubtful he has that lying around somewhere.
It is Skillicorn’s decision, but one thing is very clear, it won’t be cheap to run in the primary for the 14th.