Tryon dwarfs Kaempfe in 64th House race fundraising

Incumbent state Rep. Mike Tryon dwarfed his Democratic challenger for the 64th District in fundraising during the first half of 2010, state election records show.

According to campaign finance reports filed earlier this month, Tryon raised more than 17 times as much as opponent Robert Kaempfe, spent more than 15 times as much and ended the period with 33 times as much cash in his war chest.

In raw dollars, Tryon raised $30,737, spent $26,789 and ended with $26,807 on June 30, compared with $1,735 in revenue, $1,745 in expenses and $812 cash on hand for Kaempfe, the reports show.

The 64th District includes all or parts of Algonquin, Barrington Hills, Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Huntley and Lake in the Hills.

Tryon, a three-term representative who is a former McHenry County Board chairman and head of the county Republican Party, attributed his fundraising success to name recognition and his work in Springfield.

"I obviously have been active in the community and politically active in the community since the '80s," Tryon said. "While sometimes that creates enemies, that also creates supporters."

Despite his strong financial advantage, Tryon said he's taking the race seriously.

"I don't take my position for granted," he said. "I always think I should and could do better."

Kaempfe said given Tryon's history in the county, he's not surprised by his opponent's fundraising advantage - but he is not deterred.

"There's a little bit of a disparity there ... but I'm not discouraged by that at all," Kaempfe said.

Kaempfe, a retired postal service employee and Army veteran, says he plans to seek union support and is encouraged by his 2008 bid to unseat Tryon, in which he earned 39 percent of the vote.

"That tells me at least some people are fed up with the way things are going," Kaempfe said. "If Mike likes it or not, he's going to have competition. He's not going to get a free ride."

Tryon, a Crystal Lake resident, has touted his efforts to bring road funds to McHenry County and his support for fiscal responsibility. Kaempfe, also of Crystal Lake, says he's running to give voters a choice and promote renewable energy.