Cunningham may challenge Biggert in 11th District

Aurora Republicans may have a home team option to vote for in the 11th Congressional District race. Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham is already passing petitions for a potential run.

Cunningham would be taking on a well-financed Congresswoman Judy Biggert in a primary if he enters the race. Biggert already has nearly $900,000 in her campaign war chest from current fundraising efforts and her long tenure as the representative in the 13th Congressional District.

Biggert’s campaign declined to comment Thursday on Cunningham’s potential candidacy.

Cunningham said he’s considering a run because he both understands and, as an Aurora resident, he actually lives in the 11th District. Biggert lives in Hinsdale. Her current district was cannibalized by the new 5th Congressional District in the census remap. The new 11th Congressional District includes portions of Aurora, Naperville, Plainfield and Joliet.

Cunningham said he also has an advantage because he’s already campaigned successfully within the district. He’s been the Kane County clerk for the past decade. Before that he served as the commissioner for public property in Aurora for eight years.

“I understand the challenges that the people in the district are facing,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham said he expects to have collected the required petition signatures to get on the Republican ballot within the next two weeks. He said he won’t enter the race, though, until he has a firm sense that he can win the Republican nomination.

There are already three Democrats in the race. The most prominent name is Bill Foster, the former congressman from the 14th District, which is now represented by Congressman Randy Hultgren. Foster has more than $550,000 in his campaign fund so far for the race. Foster faces competition from Orland Fire Protection District President James Hickey and former Aurora Township Clerk Juan Thomas.