Democratic incumbents dominating fundraising in suburban congressional races

Campaign fundraising efforts in Chicago-area congressional districts are one-sided affairs dominated by Democratic incumbents, records released last week show.

Congressional candidates must regularly submit financial reports to the Federal Election Commission once their campaigns collect or spend at least $5,000. The latest campaign finance reports, covering transactions made between July 1 and Sept. 30, were due Oct. 15. They’re viewable at fec.gov.

In Illinois’ 3rd District, which encompasses parts of suburban Cook and DuPage counties and some Chicago neighborhoods, Democratic U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez of Chicago is the only one of four candidates who filed a quarterly financial report by the deadline.

Ramirez’s campaign has raised $990,874 this election cycle and spent $408,995, the latest records show. It started the quarter with $976,477 and finished September with about $1 million in the bank.

Also running are Democrat Kip Knutson and Republican Angel Oakley, both of Wheaton, and Republican Spomenka Vajic of Chicago.

The fundraising numbers in Illinois’ 5th District, which cuts diagonally through Cook and Lake counties between Chicago's North Side and the Barrington area, tell a similar story.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley of Chicago has raised $378,963 and spent $343,664 so far this cycle, records show. Quigley’s campaign started the third quarter with about $1.2 million and finished with roughly the same sum.

Republican challenger Barry Wicker of Chicago hasn’t filed financial reports.

In the 6th District, Democratic U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Downers Grove is facing challenges from a member of his own party and two Republicans — and he’s leading in fundraising.

Casten has raised nearly $1.2 million and spent $579,970 so far this cycle, records show. His campaign started the third quarter with less than $1.1 million and finished September with nearly $1.3 million in its war chest.

Democratic challenger Joey Ruzevich of Chicago has raised just $5,501 and spent $6,175 since he started fundraising in August, finishing September in a $674 hole, documents show.

Republican Niki Conforti of Glen Ellyn has raised $117,932 and spent $91,527 so far this cycle, records show. Her campaign started the third quarter with less than $14,269 and finished with $31,607 saved.

A second Republican candidate in the 6th, Shorewood’s Skylar Duensing, reported collecting $150 since entering the race in September and not spending anything.

The 6th District includes parts of Cook and DuPage counties.

In the 11th District — which covers portions of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, DeKalb and Boone counties — Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Foster of Naperville is running for reelection and three Republicans are seeking that party’s nomination. But no one is fundraising like Foster.

Foster has raised $1 million and spent $519,426 so far this cycle, records show. His campaign started the third quarter with nearly $1.9 million and finished with more than $2 million.

Republican Michael Pierce of Naperville has raised $47,183 and spent more than $28,626 during the cycle so far. His campaign started the latest quarter with $880 and finished with less than $18,557 on hand.

Elburn Mayor Jeff Walter also is seeking the Republican nomination in the 11th District. His campaign started fundraising last quarter and brought in $42,484 through September against $29,795 in expenses, ending the quarter with $12,689 saved.

Another 11th District GOP candidate, Tedora M. Brown of Palos Park, hasn’t turned in financial reports.

In the 14th District, which encompasses parts of Kane and Will counties and five others, only two of three candidates filed reports by the deadline.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville has raked in nearly $1.3 million this cycle and spent nearly $1.1 million, according to fec.gov. Her campaign started the third quarter with nearly $1.2 million and finished September with slightly more than that sum.

Republican challenger Jim Marter of Oswego has raised $54,931 during the cycle so far, records show, and he’s spent about $27,176. His campaign started the quarter with less than $19,678 and ended September with about $31,799 saved.

Democratic challenger Roman Valenciano of Earlville hasn’t filed financial reports.

In modern politics, money is “a necessary condition” for success, said campaign expert Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield. TV advertising, staff, consultants and other campaign tools needed to win competitive congressional races can cost millions of dollars.

“The candidate with the most money does not always win, but candidates with little money always lose,” Redfield said.

The primary election is March 17.

• Political Roundabout is an occasional column on campaign, legislative and political news with a suburban focus.