Duckworth has 10 times the money, but Kaifesh says he's got the message

Republican 8th Congressional District hopeful Larry Kaifesh knew he was taking on an opponent with strong name recognition and so remains undaunted that incumbent Tammy Duckworth's campaign funding is nearly 10 times what he's been able to raise.

As of Sept. 30, Kaifesh's campaign had recorded $285,244 in funds raised — which is 11.7 percent of Duckworth's $2.4 million.

“We don't need more money than Tammy,” Kaifesh said. “Funding is irrelevant. It's unfortunate that our election process is based on money.”

Kaifesh said his candidacy is based on the public's disappointment with where the country is right now. He believes the message already resonates with people and that having less money than his Democrat opponent only makes his job tougher, not impossible.

“Money is always going to help,” he said. “We have to do it all ourselves.”

Neither Duckworth nor her campaign manager could be reached for comment Friday.

Kaifesh describes his campaign fundraising as being based entirely on a network of family and friends. Due in part to his military service, this is a network that stretches into states outside Illinois — but not nearly to the extent fellow veteran Duckworth's does.

As far as why the national Republican Party hasn't tried to help put his funding in the same ballpark as Duckworth's, Kaifesh is forgiving — saying the GOP's funding is limited and that its focus right now is on retaking the U.S. Senate.

Nevertheless, the 8th District has recently been known as a swing district — at least before the recent redistricting. During the first 14 years of the 21st century, it's been held successively by Republican Phil Crane, Democrat Melissa Bean, Republican Joe Walsh and now the Democratic Duckworth.

A spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee did not return phone calls seeking comment Friday.

Though both Kaifesh and Duckworth have generally characterized their support as grass-roots, there are certainly exceptions among their contributors that include self-described political action committees.

According to listings on the Federal Election Commission's website, Duckworth's campaign has received $2,500 from the American Academy of Family Physicians Political Action Committee and $5,000 from the Sheet Metal Workers International Association Political Action League.

Kaifesh's contributions include $5,000 from the Allen West Guardian Fund, $1,000 from the Freedom and Security PAC and $1,000 from the National Roofing Contractors Association PAC.

The 8th District is roughly centered in Schaumburg and includes parts of Northwest Cook, central DuPage and eastern Kane counties.

Race: Challenger says less money makes his job tougher but not impossible