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Casten will face Roskam

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* Press release from Democratic congressional nominee Sean Casten, who won a narrow victory last night against six opponents…

From the day I first entered this race, I have been constantly inspired by the many Democrats who are committing their time and their talents to returning this congressional seat to the people of the 6th district. Today, I am deeply honored that the voters have chosen me to serve as their nominee to challenge Peter Roskam. Together, we can help to bring a Democratic majority back to the U.S. House of Representatives and halt Donald Trump’s assault on our democracy.

This has been a challenging and well-fought race. I want to thank all of my friends and supporters who have worked so hard on our campaign, every step of the way. I especially want to express my gratitude and my love to my family: My wife, Kara, and our daughters, along with my parents and my sister and brother. This victory would not have been possible without their unfailing support and encouragement.

Primary races are never easy. This race drew an exceptionally strong field of candidates, and I know this may be a tough morning for some of their supporters. But our shared goal remains unchanged: We need to work together tirelessly to reach every voter in the 6th district and let them know that Peter Roskam is a right-wing extremist whose voting record shows that he has turned his back on his constituents and our communities.

We have a long road ahead of us. But together, I know we can defeat Peter Roskam. I look forward to serving the people of the 6th district as your elected member of Congress, and I promise to stand up to the Trump administration and bring fact-based public policy back to Washington.

* NRCC…

“Sean Casten has a nearly impossible battle ahead of him – not only does he need to overcome Peter Roskam’s incredible cash advantage, he also needs to explain to voters why he wants to both repeal their tax cuts and also put the government in control of their health care – making Illinoisans foot the bill. We look forward to watching Peter Roskam soundly defeat him in November.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Maddie Anderson

…Adding… Press release…

Representative Peter Roskam (IL-06) released the following statement calling on Democrat opponent, Sean Casten, to debate him on the issues that matter to the residents of the Sixth District:

“I am calling on Sean Casten to join me in a series of debates.

“Our country faces great challenges, and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the issues and offer solutions to solve those challenges.

“I believe it is of the utmost importance that these debates should be broadcast far and wide to ensure every voter in the 6th can analyze the candidates and make an informed decision about who is best prepared to represent them in Congress. I look forward to sharing my views on how to address these challenges, as well as discussing my accomplishments in Congress.”

Roskam has agreed to participate in a televised debate hosted by WTTW public television, an editorial board debate with the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald, and a debate with WGN AM radio. These forums provide the broadest access for voters to hear about the issues that matter most to the Sixth District.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 9:19 am

Comments

Casten was the most moderate candidate and has sunk a considerable amount of his own money into his bid, so I think he’ll be a strong candidate. Roskam won’t have much of a money advantage if Casten keeps spending out of his own pocket at the rate he has been.

Comment by Angel's Sword Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 9:23 am
Roskam happy to face another white male.

Comment by Soapbox Derby Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 9:38 am
When’s the last time you saw an incumbent Congresscritter issue debate challenges?

Roskam appears clear-eyed that he’ll have to fight to hold on to the seat.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 10:05 am
==Roskam won’t have much of a money advantage if Casten keeps spending out of his own pocket at the rate he has been.==

Yes he will.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 10:11 am
Honestly surprised that Casten swamped Mazeski in DuPage as much as he did. I thought this was her race to lose with all the national support that she received, and as the results came in, it looked like it would be her night. Let’s see how he does with fundraising moving forward.

Comment by Lunchbox Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 10:13 am
Correction:

Lifelong politician Peter Roskam voted to take away people’s health care while his is paid for by the government.

Fixed it for ya, Maddie.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 10:18 am
Casten needs to be more than “not Roskam”. Agree that if he doesn’t differentiate himself he’s just another white male

Comment by Disappointed This Morning Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 10:18 am
Roskam’s gotta be happy that Casten won. Not sure if this makes him the favorite or it stays a toss up… Roskam’s still got Trump, an unpopular governor, and he raised taxes a number of his constituents when he voted for the Federal tax cut.

Casten still has his work cut out for him. There were a decent number of Democratic ballots cast in the race compared to the 12th, 13th, and 14th districts, so he can build off that. Wonder if JB will throw him some money?

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 10:50 am
Roskam’s folks are celebrating. No chance they wanted to run against a female candidate with Trump being the anchor in the Fall.

Comment by Baggs McCoy Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 11:45 am
Going into 2018, I believed that Peter Roskam could lose in November if 1) there’s a wave election, and 2) he didn’t catch any breaks.

Last night, Roskam caught a break.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 11:46 am
Hilarious that Roskam — who has ducked debates for a decade — would issue this call for “debates.” I note that NONE of of these would be held IN the 6th Congressional District, and none of them would be open to constituents participating or even attending. Roskam continues to duck, hide and run. Don’t fall for this ‘call to debate’ because it is really nothing more than an effort to preempt a groundswell demand that Roskam actually show up, in public, in the actual district he represents, and answer questions fro the actual voters (not talking heads). If he does eventually show up, Casten will more than hold his own. But if history tells us anything, Roskam will continue to hide.

Comment by 6thCongVoter Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:04 pm
Roskam lucked out. He will be facing anther white male. Democrats have been winning with female candidates. Over 60% of their wins have come from females in elections since Nov 16. Casten received 18, 863 votes. In comparison, the 5 female candidates absolutely dwarfed that and received 41,886 votes combined.

Run females upon females should be the motto for Democrats heading into November. Mazeski would have been the best one to face Roskam.

Comment by political fanatic Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:25 pm
“Roskam lucked out. He will be facing anther white male. Democrats have been winning with female candidates. Over 60% of their wins have come from females in elections since Nov 16. Casten received 18, 863 votes. In comparison, the 5 female candidates absolutely dwarfed that and received 41,886 votes combined.

Run females upon females should be the motto for Democrats heading into November. Mazeski would have been the best one to face Roskam.”

IMHO, Casten was a much better candidate that Mazeski and Dem voters made the right choice. Perpetuating HRC style identity politics - before everything else is both lazy and is not good for the Dem Party.

Comment by I Want To Be Like Mike Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:48 pm
===Mazeski would have been the best one===

Maybe, but you win one election at a time.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:49 pm
Keep in mind that more Democrats voted in DuPage County than Republicans yesterday. That’s unlike to change with Trump in the WH no matter who is running against Roskam. If your a Dem, you’re not helping the party (and Casten’s fundraising) by grumbling that only a woman could beat Roskam.

Comment by I Want To Be Like Mike Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:54 pm
“Perpetuating HRC style identity politics - before everything else is both lazy and is not good for the Dem Party”

Um. This is wrong in so many ways that I don’t really know how to respond to it.

Anyway, I was going by the factual numbers. Over 60% of the elections Democrats have won since Nov 16 have been won by female candidates. That is a fact.

And yes, many proud Democrats like myself are more motivated and excited to go out and vote for women and people of color than white men who have ruled Congress for way too long. I would say that base Democrats who have always went out and voted every single primary without fail agree with me that female candidates and people of color excite them more than another white guy. I’m sorry if that offends you.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 1:11 pm
Sorry for the double post. I forgot to put my name/nickname/anon on the post before this.

“Perpetuating HRC style identity politics - before everything else is both lazy and is not good for the Dem Party”

Um. This is wrong in so many ways that I don’t really know how to respond to it.

Anyway, I was going by the factual numbers. Over 60% of the elections Democrats have won since Nov 16 have been won by female candidates. That is a fact.

And yes, many proud Democrats like myself are more motivated and excited to go out and vote for women and people of color than white men who have ruled Congress for way too long. I would say that base Democrats who have always went out and voted every single primary without fail agree with me that female candidates and people of color excite them more than another white guy. I’m sorry if that offends you.

Comment by political fanatic Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 1:50 pm
Really hope Roskam goes down

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 2:04 pm
A reporter might ask Roskam why his opponent should debate him when Roskam refused to debate his previous opponents? What’s the principle here?

Comment by anon2 Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 2:18 pm
Anyone who thinks a progressive woman would fare better against Roskam than Sean Casten does not know this district very well. Sean is a good fit—moderate, highly educated, with strong business background

Comment by Rock161 Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 2:34 pm
Rock161 is right. If you think Mazeski could flipthe6th against Roskam, you don’t understand this District. Casten has the blue vote. He needs to pull from independents and the moderate right. He was a business owner and not part of the establishment, so doesn’t have baggage. I believe he’ll flipthe6th in November

Comment by Fire Roskam Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 5:33 pm
People saying this race over do not fully understand the district. Casten ran a race that fit this district, not the one size fits all, and all my consultants are based in DC.

The DCCC is still a huge mess, just because Trump is in charge don’t expect them to help Dems across the finish line. Rely on your own staff and folks on the ground, not in DC.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 9:05 pm
I agree with Rockt161 that those arguing Casten isn’t a good fit and Mazeski would have been better don’t know the district and didn’t spend much time observing Mazeski. But it doesn’t matter at this point. I’m impressed with how quickly all the candidates threw their support behind Casten and even more impressed with how quickly the supporters for each of them have come around to backing the nominee.

Comment by Runaway Pete Thursday, Mar 22, 18 @ 4:11 pm