Party, PAC cash flowing more freely into Walsh's war chest

Republican Congressman Joe Walsh beat an incumbent Democrat with virtually no help from his party or national lobbying war chests. But that appears to be changing now that the McHenry tea partyer is in office.

In just a few weeks' time, the freshman 8th District Congressman has raised more campaign cash from party and political action committees than he did during the past year, newly released campaign finance reports show.

Walsh received nothing from Republican Party leadership through October 2010, and just $8,099 from political action committees during that time, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

But, in the last weeks before the Nov. 2 election, the cash started flowing in at a more steady rate.

Just shy of $8,200 in donations from political action committees, many of which are funded by special interest lobby groups, came in between Oct. 14 and Nov. 22. And, for the first time, Walsh got $5,000 from the National Republican Congressional Committee on Nov. 7.

It's only gotten steadier.

The following month, after Walsh clinched the election (three-term Congresswoman Melissa Bean conceded Nov. 16) and landed three plum committee assignments — homeland security, small business, and oversight and government reform — PACs added another $23,900 to his war chest.

That includes $5,000 from the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers; $5,000 from Automotive Free International Trade PAC; $4,000 from Exelon Corp.; $2,000 from the National Rifle Association; $3,000 from the AT&T Federal Political Action Committee; and $1,000 from the UA Political Education Committee representing sprinkler fitters.

The donations are due to people taking notice of Walsh, whose race was not closely watched nationally because Bean was expected to win.

Out in Washington, D.C., “a lot of folks weren't following that race in the 8th district,” Walsh spokesman Justin Roth said. “But now that members of the lobbying world are getting to know Joe, and understanding that he has a pro-business, small government focus, those who share his agenda are recognizing he's someone they should support.”

Still, records show the campaign, which raised less than $650,000 during the entire campaign cycle, is $361,740 in debt.

That number, for now, is higher than the $299,805 Walsh owed the bank for his 2009 foreclosure on his Evanston condo. But much of his campaign debt is expected to be knocked down after bills for recount legal advice are paid by the Republican Party.

Chicago political analyst Paul Green, who chairs the political science department at Roosevelt University in Schaumburg, noted Walsh's campaign debt will likely be quickly be wiped away through fundraisers.

“However, it might be a bit more difficult this time because it is a redistricting year,” Green said.

Green noted that redistricting — the redrawing of the state's political map based on 2010 census numbers — may also affect the timing of Bean's next move, if she decides to run again, Green said. Bean has not spoken publicly since she conceded to Walsh.

Illinois, due to slow population growth, is expected to lose one congressional seat, based on census figures. Because the drawing of the map lies in the hands of Democrats, who control the state House, Senate and governor's office, experts surmise that lines may be etched to the benefit the party.

“The map's in the well-known cartographer's hand. (Democratic Party Chairman and House Speaker Michael) Madigan is the Michelangelo of redistricting,” Green said.

The pending remap may affect candidates' timing for announcing election bids, including Bean, Green said.

Year-end reports show very little fundraising activity for the Barrington Democrat. From Nov. 23 to Dec. 31, Bean took in no money from individuals, but $3,558 from political action committees. She had $25,239 in cash on hand at the end of the year, and was $12,800 in debt.

“Money is number two. Number one is how the map's going to look,” Green said.

While Bean hasn't said either way, Green predicts she'll run again.

“Obviously she's going to run again unless something comes up. But it all depends on how that district configures.”

That process could be decided by early summer.

“There'll be plenty of time to raise a whole bunch of money,” Green said.