Dold has big cash lead over Schneider in 10th District
With Election Day just three weeks away, Republican U.S. Rep. Robert Dold continues to lead Democratic challenger Brad Schneider in the 10th District fundraising race, new records show.
Dold’s re-election committee reported receiving slightly more than $1 million in donations during the year’s third quarter, which ended Sept. 30. Refunds to some donors cut that total below the million-dollar mark.
Team Schneider reported $782,168 in donations during the same three-month period. As was the case with the Dold campaign, some refunds chipped away at the total.
At the end of the period, Dold had nearly $2.3 million in the bank — more than eight times the $267,625 Schneider saved for the race’s final month.
That means Dold has more money for TV and radio ads, staff, polling and other campaign expenses as the Nov. 6 election nears.
And with both candidates putting multiple ads on the air, every dollar may matter.
Dold, of Kenilworth, and Schneider, of Deerfield, are running in the recently reconfigured 10th District. Stretching from Lake Michigan into the North and Northwest suburbs, it includes parts of Lake and Cook counties.
Candidates for national office must regularly file campaign disclosure forms with the Federal Election Commission. They’re viewable at www.fec.gov.
Team Dold netted $993,509 in donations during the quarter, according to the campaign’s report.
Dold has campaigned as a moderate Republican willing to work with Democrats on legislation, unlike other members of his party. In a news release, Dold said the financial support he’s received reflects public faith in that approach.
“Those in the 10th (District) have given generously because they believe in the principled, bipartisan leadership I’ve demonstrated in Washington, and I’m honored to have their support,” Dold said.
Notable Dold donors this quarter included:
Ÿ Ex-astronaut James A. Lovell, who gave $1,000.
Ÿ Marilyn Quayle, wife of former Vice President Dan Quayle, $2,500.
Ÿ Todd Ricketts, a member of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs, $2,500.
Ÿ The re-election committee for U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren of Winfield, $2,000.
Ÿ Allstate Insurance Co., $1,000.
Ÿ Buffalo Wild Wings, $2,000.
Ÿ Motorola, $1,000.
Ÿ News America Holdings, the political committee for the company that owns the Fox News Channel, $1,000.
Ÿ Walgreens Co., $5,000.
For the entire election cycle, the Dold campaign has received an estimated $3.9 million from donors.
His campaign spent $832,560 during the quarter and $1.9 million during the race so far, records show. It ended September with $44,480 in debts.
Schneider’s campaign netted $777,268 in donations in the last quarter. More than 75 percent of the contributions were from first-time donors, his campaign said.
“Momentum for Brad’s campaign to overcome partisan divides and solve problems is clear,” campaign spokeswoman Staci McCabe said in an email.
Notable Schneider supporters included:
Ÿ Mundelein attorney Vivek Bavda, one of the Democratic candidates Schneider defeated in the primary. He gave $250.
Ÿ Christopher G. Kennedy, son of former U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, $1,000.
Ÿ State Rep. Elaine Nekritz of Northbrook, $2,000.
Ÿ The American Federation of Teachers, $10,000.
Ÿ The Communications Workers of America, $5,000.
Ÿ A campaign committee for Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, $2,000.
Ÿ A campaign committee for state senator and Lake County Democratic Party leader Terry Link, $500.
Ÿ The Sierra Club, $1,500.
Over the entire campaign, Schneider has received nearly $2.3 million from supporters.
Schneider spent more than Dold during the quarter, reporting nearly $1.1 million in expenses.
Overall, the Schneider campaign has put $2.1 million into the race. That includes money spent during the contested Democratic primary.
Dold ran unopposed in the GOP primary.
Schneider ended the quarter with $115,961 in debts, reports show.