Huge Voter Turnout In 6th District May Signal Trouble For Roskam

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Illinois's 6th Congressional District has not been quiet about its disapproval of Rep. Pete Roskam (R-Wheaton). The district's demand for change was evident in its turnout in the March primaries to pick a Democratic challenger to Roskam. More than 62,000 people in the district voted on March 20, up more than 600% from 2014, when the turnout was just over 8,600 people, according to a report from Washington Post.

Illinois's 6th District spans a large swath of land that stretches as far northwest as Algonquin and as far southeast as Countryside. Much of DuPage County —all or parts of Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Naperville, Oak Brook, Westmont, and Wheaton— lies in the 6th District.

Since Donald Trump's election in 2016, pundits have noted that the 6th District's 2018 race would be an important one to watch. In 2016, the District, which has kept Roskam in office since 2007, flipped in favor of Hillary Clinton. Now it's possible that dissatisfaction with Roskam — who has gotten criticism for his support of the controversial tax bill and his reluctance to hold in-person town hall meetings — could tip the district to elect Democratic nominee Sean Casten to the House in November.

The fact that seven candidates vied for the Democratic nomination in the 6th is a testament to the rising tide of Democratic involvement in the area. The race, which remained close throughout the primary, ended up falling in favor of Sean Casten, who hails from Downers Grove.

Casten, who recently spoke at the March for Our Lives event in Downers Grove, leans much farther left than constituents in the district have traditionally voted.

With a background in biology and biochemistry, Casten describes himself as a clean air entrepreneur. He rails against climate change deniers, supports comprehensive gun control, and is in favor of expanding healthcare coverage.

He also takes direct aim at Trump in his call to action, saying, "Join Sean Casten in fighting Trump's war on facts, science and decency." Casten slams Trump's stance on climate change, jobs, and health care, often mentioning Roskam in the same breath.

Despite the support behind Casten, the district still has a strong Republican base with many conservative constituents whose votes helped Republican Jeanne Ives come very close to nabbing the Republican gubernatorial nomination from Governor Bruce Rauner.

Related: Casten Defeats Mazeski, Will Take On Roskam In 6th District

These clashing factions have put the district on the Cook Political Report's list of most competitive House races in 2018, Washington Post notes, meaning either Dems or Republicans have a "good chance of winning."

The Post asserts that predominantly affluent, college-educated constituencies like the 6th district could flip enough seats to give Democrats control of the House, which could further complicate Trump's already often tenuous relationship with Congress.

Roskam's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Do you think the increased voter turnout means the 6th District will flip Roskam's G.O.P. House seat? Let us know in the comments.

>>>Image credit: Getty Images/Alex Wong / Staff