Schneider's fundraising dwarfs GOP challenger's, records show
For years, the race for Illinois' 10th Congressional District seat has been among the costliest House contests in the nation, with candidates on both sides collecting and spending millions of dollars in often-tight battles.
That's not the case this time, financial documents show.
With Election Day approaching, Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider has raised vastly more cash for TV ads, mailers, consultants and other campaign expenses than Republican challenger Doug Bennett.
The Schneider for Congress campaign had nearly $1.7 million in the bank as of Sept. 30, according to the quarterly disclosure report filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission.
In stark contrast, the Friends of Doug Bennett committee had less than $43,338 reserved for the last weeks of the race and debts totaling more than twice that sum.
Candidates running for federal office must regularly file financial disclosure reports that show campaign donations, expenditures and debts. Reports are available for public viewing at fec.gov.
Schneider's report
Schneider, of Deerfield, netted nearly $610,733 in donations between July 1 and Sept. 30, his report showed.
Of that amount, more than $430,000 came from individual donors. Nearly $180,000 came from political action committees representing banks, retailers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and other industries.
They included: Home Depot, $2,500; Google, $1,000; Facebook, $1,000; McDonald's, $2,500; Baxter International, $1,000; Abbott Laboratories employees, $1,000.
During the entire campaign, Schneider has raised nearly $4.3 million. His team has spent about $2.5 million overall, including about $1.4 million in the third quarter.
Schneider reported no debt.
A Schneider spokesman declined to comment.
Bennett's report
Bennett, also of Deerfield, raised a relatively meager $46,474 during the quarter.
Most of that sum, more than $37,000, came from individual donors.
Bennett also received checks from two political groups. The 10th Congressional District Republican Organization gave $4,400, while the Asian-American GOP Coalition's political action committee gave $4,993.
Team Bennett has collected about $135,650 in donations during the campaign. Bennett has spent about $207,691 overall, including nearly $47,759 during the last quarter.
Bennett has lent his campaign $115,600, records show. That debt remained unpaid as of Sept. 30.
When asked about the fundraising disparity with Schneider's campaign, Bennett spokesman Matt Vriesema noted Bennett won the GOP primary in March despite being outraised and outspent by two opponents.
"Successful campaigns win by having better solutions to the issues important to their district," Vriesema said. "Voters are looking for thoughtful, creative solutions to improve their families' lives."
The 10th District includes portions of Cook and Lake counties, stretching from the North Shore into the Northwest suburbs.