Schneider leads Dold in 10th Congressional District fundraising
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider continues to lead 10th District rival Robert Dold in fundraising ahead of their November rematch, new records show.
Schneider, a Deerfield Democrat, reported receiving an estimated $195,969 in campaign donations between Jan. 1 and Feb. 26, according to a pre-primary disclosure report filed Thursday with the Federal Election Commission.
Combined with cash saved at the start of the period and after expenses, Schneider ended the period with about $1.1 million in the bank.
"Brad's focus on strengthening the opportunities for the middle class has clearly resonated with folks across the 10th District, and we're proud that our campaign is showing growing grass-roots support," campaign manager Jamie Patton said in an email.
Dold, a Kenilworth Republican, reported $125,176 in political contributions during the same two-month period. After expenses, he finished the period with $982,786 in the bank, dropping below the $1 million threshold he'd crossed during the last quarter of 2013.
Dold campaign manager James Slepian touted his candidate's fundraising numbers, particularly since Schneider had a head start as the incumbent.
Still, Slepian predicted "Illinois' tattered economy" and concerns about the controversial health care law will have more of an impact on the race than campaign contributions.
Schneider and Dold are running unopposed in their respective parties' primary elections in March, so they'll face each other in November. It's a repeat of the 2012 election, which saw Schneider upset the first-term incumbent Dold to win the seat.
Candidates for national office must regularly file campaign disclosure forms with the FEC. They're viewable at fec.gov.
Both candidates reported donations from individuals and political action committees.
Schneider's notable supporters during the period included:
• $2,500 from Exelon Corp.'s political committee.
• $1,000 from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
• $1,500 from Allstate Insurance Co.'s committee.
Dold's reported receiving checks from groups including:
• $2,500 from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's political committee.
• $5,000 from Deere & Company's PAC.
• $1,000 from a manufacturing firm called Amsted Industries.
Dold and Schneider have received donations since the filing period ended, but only contributions of $1,000 or more need to be individually reported until after the primary.
The 10th District includes parts of Cook and Lake counties. It stretches west from Lake Michigan into the North and Northwest suburbs.