Manzullo raises almost 20 times more than opponent

If fundraising figures released Friday are any indication, Republican incumbent Congressman Don Manzullo's stranglehold on the 16th Congressional District is in tact.

The nine-term representative from Egan raised almost 20 times more than his Democratic challenger, George Gaulrapp, in the quarter that ended September 30, according to figures released by the candidates last week.

Supporters of Manzullo donated $274,004.56, bringing his total for the current election cycle to more than $1 million. Manzullo has $238,807.85 in cash on hand. Meanwhile, Gaulrapp, who is in his second term as mayor of Freeport, reportedly received $14,805 in the last quarter. In all, Gaulrapp, the mayor of Freeport, has raised $57,725 and has about $2,560 on hand.

More than one-third of Manzullo's contributions have come from political action committees, including the National Restaurant Association in Washington, D.C., and the McLean, Va., National Auto Dealers Association. PACs contributed more than $59,000 to Manzullo's campaign in the most recent reporting period.

Individual donors have given about 65 percent of Manzullo's campaign funds more than $645,000. More than $210,000 that was collected in the quarter from July 1 to Sept. 30.

In contrast, PACs gave Gaulrapp just $6,500 last quarter and a total of $113,000. Individuals have contributed about 80 percent of Gaulrapp's funding, or about $51,400.

Gaulrapp has spent about $55,165 during the campaign, while his opponent has expended about $877,000.

Green Party candidate Terry Campbell has not disclosed campaign finance reports.

The 16th District covers about two-thirds of McHenry County, as well as counties bordering Wisconsin and Iowa.