NRCC Chairman to Fundraise for Illinois House Hopefuls

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden is making a campaign swing through Illinois on Friday, headlining fundraisers benefiting four Republican challengers and one of the party’s most vulnerable members.
Walden will host separate fundraising events for all five Republicans in a state the party views as an opportunity to add to its House majority. That includes helping two former members ousted by Democrats in 2012 make it back to Capitol Hill in 2015.
“Chairman Walden is looking forward to highlighting our offensive opportunities in Illinois,” NRCC Communications Director Andrea Bozek said in a statement to CQ Roll Call. “Illinois is a competitive battleground state where Democrats will be forced to spend big money to defend their members.”
The fundraising beneficiaries are:
- Former Rep. Bob Dold, who is running a rematch with freshman Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider in Illinois’ 10th District. The 10th District race is rated a Leans Democrat contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.
- State Rep. Darlene Senger, the GOP nominee taking on Rep. Bill Foster in Illinois’ 11th District. The 11th District race is rated a Safe Democrat contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.
- State Rep. Mike Bost, the Republican nominee looking to oust Rep. Bill Enyart in Illinois’ 12th Disrict. The 12th District race is rated a Leans Democrat contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.
- Rep. Rodney Davis, the freshman Republican facing former judge Ann Callis in Illinois’ 13th District, the state’s most competitive seat. The 13th District race is rated a Tilts Republican contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.
- Former Rep. Bobby Schilling, a Republican running a rematch with freshman Democratic Rep. Cheri Bustos in Illinois’ 17th District. The 17th District race is rated a Leans Democrat contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.
The NRCC elevated the four GOP challengers to the “contender” level in its “Young Guns” program, which highlights the Republican campaigns that have met fundraising and organizational benchmarks.
Davis is a member of the NRCC’s “Patriot” program , which seeks to protect the GOP’s most vulnerable House members.