Congressional incumbents largely dominate money race
Democrats hoping to unseat incumbent Republicans continue to fall behind their congressional opponents in fundraising to buy TV ads and pay campaign staff, according to reports released Friday.
The Chicago suburbs are home to some of the most expensive and most contentious congressional races in the nation, and they have fueled millions of dollars in TV ads and mailers.
Four incumbent Republicans and two incumbent Democrats are on the ballot. Several are facing well-funded opposition, but most incumbents still hold an edge.
Here is look at the latest campaign finance reports detailing the amount of money each candidate has raised up to Oct. 15 in local congressional races.
Kirk vs. Seals
U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk continues to outpace his Democratic challenger in fundraising, having brought in nearly $5 million.
However, Dan Seals continues to land considerable help from national Democrats to help make up the difference.
In the latest report, Kirk had $884,973 on hand as of Oct. 15.
Much of Kirk's backing comes from the finance sector and pro-Israel groups, according to an analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics.
The Highland Park Republican's campaign also continues to bring in thousands of dollars a day in donations about a week out from Election Day. For example, his campaign took in nearly $40,000 on Wednesday and Thursday alone.
Seals reported having $269,344 on hand as of Oct. 15. His fundraising since that point has continued to lag behind Kirk's, according to 48-hour updates recorded with the Federal Election Commission.
The Center for Responsive Politics says Seals reaps big support from pro-Democratic interest groups and attorneys. Seals has raised nearly $3 million in his second bid against Kirk.
The 10th District includes northwest Cook County and eastern Lake County.
Roskam vs. Morgenthaler
Democrat Jill Morgenthaler, who hopes to unseat Republican Peter Roskam, reported having $100,000 on hand as of Oct. 15 compared to Roskam's nearly $700,000.
Roskam has been blasting Morgenthaler in blanket TV and radio ads for weeks across the 6th District. Morgenthaler, a Des Plaines veteran, has not had the money to respond, but her campaign says they may get on TV in the coming days.
Morgenthaler has raised a total of $725,974 in her bid to unseat the freshman Roskam, with her highest contributions coming from unions and Democratic organizations, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Roskam has raised more than $2.3 million, with his biggest contributors including Republican congressional leaders and insurance companies.
The 6th District includes parts of northwest Cook County and northern DuPage County.
Biggert vs. Harper
U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert reported having $404,508 on Oct. 15 while raising more than $1.2 million in the last year. The Center for Responsive Politics says her biggest backers include the financial sector and insurance companies.
Democratic challenger Scott Harper has raised nearly $700,000 and reported having more than a quarter of a million dollars on hand on Oct. 15. His campaign, which has yet to see much support from the national party, recently launched its first TV ad.
Harper's largest contributors include unions and Democratic organizations hoping to win the 13th District, which includes southern DuPage County.
Manzullo vs. Abboud
Barrington Hills Mayor Robert Abboud had $1,059.84 in his campaign as of Oct. 15.
The Democratic challenger to U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo of Rockford has spent more than $400,000 on the 16th District campaign, with nearly half of that coming out of his own pocket.
Manzullo has raised more than $1.2 million, much of it coming from the health care industry and manufacturers, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. As of Oct. 15, he reported having $329,565 on hand.
The 16th District includes parts of Barrington Hills and Algonquin. It stretches to Illinois' northwestern border.
Bean vs. Greenberg
U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, a Barrington Democrat, continues to dominate the fundraising race in her effort to block challenger Steve Greenberg.
Greenberg reported having just over $24,000 on hand as of Oct. 15, having raised and spent nearly $1 million on his campaign so far. The Republican's biggest backers include GOP organizations and conservative groups, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Bean has raised more than $3 million, with her strongest contributors including lawyers and the financial industry. She reported having $348,656 on hand as of Oct. 15.
Bean won the 8th District from Republicans in 2004 and faced down a tough challenge in 2006. The district includes eastern Lake County, far northwestern Cook County and eastern McHenry County.
Foster vs. Oberweis
Republican challenger Jim Oberweis is outspending freshman U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, but both have a similar amount of cash in the bank as Election Day nears.
Foster reported having $275,100 on hand as of Oct. 15 compared to Oberweis' $211,513.
Oberweis, who owns the ice cream and dairy business of the same name, is largely self-financing his campaign and has spent nearly $5 million in the far west suburban 14th District.
Foster, who won the seat formerly held by Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert in an upset this spring, has raised about $4.5 million. His biggest backers include education groups and Democratic organizations.