Foster revving up campaign money
Gentlemen, start your campaign bank accounts.
Bolstered by four months in Congress, Rep. Bill Foster, D-Geneva, raked in about $515,000 in contributions between April and June on the strength of 535 new donors, according to new filings.
That quarterly effort by the new 14th District congressman amounts to nearly half of the money his opponent, Republican Jim Oberweis of Aurora, has raised since launching his campaign a year ago.
Campaign manager Michael Rendina said Foster's legislative work since his arrival in Washington on March 11 has been a key point for attracting new backers.
"From saving jobs at Fermilab and Argonne to supporting our troops and veterans, Bill's independent and scientific approach to solving problems is already making a difference and has helped him build strong, broad support," Rendina said.
Foster has about $442,000 in cash on hand, which is less than Oberweis, who reported $547,000 in working cash. But the dairy and investment businessman's war chest grew primarily on the strength of a $640,000 loan Oberweis made to his campaign. He raised about $93,000 from donors, his report states.
His manager, David From, said the approach after March's special election has not been focused on money first and foremost.
"The priority was to listen to people around the district," From said.
A "low-dollar fundraiser" with former U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert is scheduled July 25 at the Kane County Fairgrounds, From said.
As for cash flow, From has no concerns. He said expenses during this reporting cycle were high because of leftover costs from the March 8 special election.
In a battle of millionaires, Foster and Oberweis have spent $3.5 million and $4.1 million, respectively, since kicking off their campaigns to replace Hastert. Additionally, Oberweis has now put $3.4 million of his own money into the race, while Foster has spent around $2 million from his own pocket.
The reports, filed with the Federal Election Commission, include money received and spent by the campaigns between April 1 and June 30. At the close of the last reporting cycle, Oberweis reported $133,000 in cash, while the new congressman had about $263,000 in his coffers.
