House GOP heavily backing Roth's House bid

The House Republican Organization's contributions include $22,139 for a campaign consultant, according to the state board of elections. Overall, her campaign has received $29,452 in in-kind contributions between January and June.

Roth faces incumbent state Rep. Fred Crespo in the November election.

"I am very pleased that I was able to raise vastly more money than a two-term Democrat incumbent through local donations from individuals and families who live in the district," Roth said.

While Roth out-raised Crespo - who brought in $3,644, she also had less money at the start of the board of election's tracking period, which goes from January through June. Roth had $1,946 at the start, while Crespo had $25,059.

Roth has outspent her competition, using $13,753, compared to Crespo's $8,450. The latest state numbers show Roth with a cash balance of $13,216 available, and Crespo with $24,508.

Notable Republicans from local and state levels have supported Roth. That includes Bartlett Village President Michael E. Kelly, who donated $300, and she's gotten $500 from the campaign organization of House Republican Leader Tom Cross.

Crespo cited his time in Springfield as one of the reasons his opponent has out-raised him. He said it's still early in the campaign.

"My expectation is just like she's getting help from Tom Cross, I expect to get help from the party as well," Crespo said.

So far, House Democrat Leader Michael Madigan's campaign organization donated $590 to Crespo. That's on top of the $2,065 the Democratic Party of Illinois gave. Crespo downplayed the money and said in 2006 his opponent, then state representative Terry Parke, outspent him 3 to 1.

"I'm not too worried about that as long as I'm out there doing what I'm supposed to do," Crespo said.

Roth works full time at Platt Hill Nursery in Carpentersville and serves as Streamwood's village president, a post she first filled in 1989. She ran in her first contested race in Streamwood in 16 years when she won re-election last year. Roth ran for the 22nd state senate seat in 2006, and lost to Democrat Michael Noland of Elgin.

"Regardless of political affiliation, people have been overwhelmingly receptive to my message of reforming spending, going through the budget line-by-line, conducting a forensic audit, eliminating waste and refocusing government's priorities to jobs and the economy," Roth said.

Crespo, a former Hoffman Estates trustee, switched party affiliations and beat 22-year Republican incumbent Parke in 2006. Crespo won his second term in 2008 defeating Peggy Brouthman.

The 44th District includes all of Streamwood and parts of Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Elgin.