Big money being raised in 10th District race
Based on the abundance of campaign funds, voters in the 10th Congressional District can expect to face a torrent of political advertising next week.
In a primary without an incumbent in the mix, challengers on both sides have raised impressive amounts, including some from the candidates' own pockets.
Leading all candidates is state Rep. Julie Hamos of Wilmette, one of three Democrats seeking the nomination in the Feb. 2 primary. Federal records showed she raised more than $526,000 since Oct. 1 and nearly $1.1 million to date. She still has more than $385,000 in cash on hand, more than anyone in either party.
"This is an incredibly expensive district. The voters really know the importance of this race," Hamos said.
Jobs continues to be her top issue, Hamos said, adding she is the only Democrat with experience producing them.
In an apparent reference to challenger Dan Seals, Hamos' camp said voters are becoming irritated with "professional candidates" without experience.
Seals, a business consultant from Wilmette, who lost close races to incumbent Mark Kirk in 2006 and 2008, raised about $180,000 since Oct. 1 and about $505,000 to date. He has about $146,000 cash on hand.
The Seals campaign touts his connection to the district, though Hamos claims contributions from three times as many district donors.
"The majority of our contributions come from the people of the 10th District and they know that Dan is the best candidate to create jobs and increase local economic development," said Jamie Crain, Seals' deputy campaign manager.
The third Democratic candidate, Elliot Richardson, an attorney from Highland Park, reported about $31,000 in contributions since Oct. 1 and about $282,000 in total receipts to date. That included a personal loan of nearly $110,000.
Richardson said he has taken no money from political action committees or special interest groups, and that the large sums of money needed to compete in this primary highlight the need for campaign finance reform.
On the Republican side, Robert Dold, a Kenilworth businessman, raised more than $200,000 since Oct. 1 and about $459,000 to date. He has $198,000 cash on hand.
"People are looking for some more common sense thinking. That is something that resonates with voters," he said, noting the majority of his support is from individuals.
Dold also said he considers it a two-person race between himself and state Rep. Elizabeth Coulson of Glenview, whose coffers are about the same.
Coulson raised about $22,000 since Oct. 1. Her total receipts, including $90,000 of her own funds, was reported at $460,000. She has about $132,000 cash on hand.
"The dollars do not equate to votes," said Joe Woodward, Coulson's deputy campaign manager. "We never thought it would be a slam dunk but momentum is on our side."
Besting both candidates in terms of funding is Harvard-educated economist Dick Green of Winnetka.
He raised about $17,000 since Oct. 1 but had total receipts to date of more than $550,000, including $225,000 of his own money.
"There's a certain amount of freedom that comes with that and it can rise at the drop of a hat if necessary," said Green's campaign manager Chris Hansen.
Green's staff is minuscule compared to those of Dold and Coulson, and he has concentrated lately on direct mail and walking neighborhoods. His message has been cutting federal spending.
"Dick has been talking with voters instead of contacting investment bankers looking for money," Hansen added.
Campaign contribution information for the other two Republican candidates, Arie Friedman, a pediatrician from Highland Park, and Paul Hamann, an electrical engineer from Lake Forest, had not been posted on the Federal Election Commission Web site by Friday evening.
Hamann previously said he was refusing all campaign contributions.