Incumbents hold big leads in fundraising

With Election Day just over two weeks away, incumbent House members in the Springfield area hold substantial fundraising leads over their challengers.

In fact, in three instances, challengers haven’t reported raising any money yet in their campaigns.

There are four races in the Springfield area where long term incumbents are facing challenges.

In the 95th House District, Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, had more than seven times as much money on hand as Democratic challenger Chase Wilhelm at the end of the September reporting period. Bourne reported having more than $59,000 available September 30 compared to Wilhelm’s $7,500.

Bourne’s largest contributor in the previous three months was Stand for Children which donated $2,500. She raised a total of $13,715 during that time.

Bourne reported spending $5,000 on polling and nearly $2,700 on signs. She also donated $20,000 to House Republican Leader Jim Durkin.

Bourne is an assistant House Republican leader. Assistant leaders in both parties in both chambers are expected to help with fundraising efforts in their chambers.

Wilhelm reported raising about $13,600 during the last quarter, including $1,350 donated by himself. He also received $1,000 contributions from the laborers union, the plumbers union, from the Bill Houlihan Campaign Fund and a fund affiliated with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Springfield. Houlihan is Durbin’s state director.

Wilhelm has also reported a recent $1,000 contribution from Judge Judy Cates who is running for the Illinois Supreme Court.

Wilhelm has spent on printing costs and ads on Facebook and the Journal-News of Hillsboro.

Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, said he had nearly $210,000 on hand at the end of September after raising more than $132,000 during the previous three months. Since the end of September the 96th District representative has also reported $20,000 in large contributions from law firms, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and AFSCME. She also reported a $24,500 in-kind contribution from the state Democratic Party which paid for postage for mailings and other expenses.

During the last quarter, Scherer also reported $65,000 in contributions from two laborers’ union organizations and $20,000 from the Illinois Education Association.

Scherer’s Republican opponent, Charlie McGorray of Decatur, said he had $13,325 on hand on September 30 after raising nearly $36,000 during the quarter. A lot of that support came from Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur. McGorray reported a total of $5,000 from Caulkins and his wife also with $12,000 from two campaign funds controlled by Caulkins.

Since the end of September, McGorray has loaned his campaign $3,000.The House Republican Organization has donated $1,000 in services.

John Keating of Springfield, a Green Party candidate, has filed paperwork to create a campaign fund, but has not filed any reports showing that he’s raised any money.

In the 87th District, Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, had nearly $91,600 on hand at the end of September after raising more than $72,000 during the previous three months.

Among Butler’s larger contributors were the Realtors with $10,000, two organizations representing heavy equipment operators donated $5,000 each and J&J Ventures Gaming contributed $4,000.

Butler, who is an assistant House Republican leader, gave $20,000 to Durkin, $10,000 to the House Republican Organization and $20,000 to the state Republican Party.

His Green Party opponent Angel Sides, has not formed a fundraising committee. She said she is concentrating on door-to-door campaigning.

Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, is dwarfing his two opponents in the 100th District when it comes to raising money.

Davidsmeyer said he had nearly $240,000 on hand at the end of September after raising more than $68,000 during the previous quarter.

His Democratic opponent, Brandon Adams of Jacksonville, raised $4,420 during the previous quarter and ended September with $3,272 in his fund.

Adams got $1,000 contributions each from Houlihan’s fund, Durbin’s fund and the Morgan County Democrats. A fund controlled by House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, also contributed $750 in services to Adams’ campaign.

Ralph Sides of the Pro-Gun, Pro-Life Party has not formed a fundraising committee.

Davidsmeyer’s largest contributor was the Illinois Education Association with a $15,000 donation. The Realtors also contributed $5,000.

Contact Doug Finke: doug.finke@sj-r.com, 788-1527, twitter.com/dougfinkesjr