Will Roskam's Financial Edge Result In Re-election?

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — More than a half dozen politicians have challenged Rep. Peter Roskam's seemingly wobbly seat in Congress, but despite his unpopularity with constituents, the Wheaton Republican has an edge. Roskam may be notoriously lagging in popularity, but he's significantly ahead of his challengers when it comes to funds.

As of Sept. 30, Roskam had raised more than $1.35 million, according to Chicago Tribune. That's more than $1 million than Kelly Mazeski, a Barrington Hills Democrat who leads the way for her party with $343,000 in the books.

Roskam serves the 6th Congressional District of Illinois, which includes parts or all of Downers Grove, Wheaton, and Glen Ellyn, along with parts of Kane, Lake, Cook, and McHenry Counties. The six-term representative has earned the anger of his district's Democrat-heavy demographic in the past year for refusing to hold public town halls, something that has also infuriated Republican constituents. Roskam has also voted multiple times to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Still, Roskam's deep pockets suggest that he's got solid support for 2018, an edge that may partially be accounted for by the fact that he's an incumbent.

Many of the Democrats gunning to replace Roskam have a more progressive approach to politics. Sean Casten of Downers Grove is a millennial-aged scientist and clean energy advocate who entered the race in September. Chicago Tribune notes that Casten is next behind Mazeski when it comes to campaign funds, but he has only brought in just under half of what Mazeski has.

The question remains, then, if the Democrat who wins the March 20 primary election will be able to drum up enough dollars to fight the force of Roskam's funds in the 2018 election.

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