The Community Word

From presidential endorsements to support from House majority leaders, candidates are campaigning hard to raise money—and votes—as the election draws near.

With kids out of school and families on vacation, the November election may be a mere spark in the minds of voters. But for State Representative Aaron Schock and former WMBD Agricultural Reporter Colleen Callahan, the campaign for retiring U.S. Representative Ray LaHood’s seat is already in full swing. Candidates in the 18th District congressional race have been working hard to turn public heads toward Decision 2008, gaining support from Washington political leaders and organizing rallies and fundraisers to jump-start their campaigns for the months ahead.

The Schock campaign drew a rush of attention last month thanks to a visit from United States President George W. Bush who threw his support—and hundreds of thousands of dollars—behind the 27-year-old Republican hopeful during a fundraiser just outside Peoria at Weaver’s Angus Farm on July 25th.

“I was a little shocked when I received the call,” says the Republican candidate. “With 435 members running for election this year, for the president to take time to come to an event for me is very humbling. The last time the president came to Peoria was when he visited Caterpillar in 2007. That was the first time a sitting president came to Peoria in 20 years. To have a president come to town a year later is almost unheard of.”

The president has helped raise money for a handful of candidates, attending 31 political events and raising $70 million this year. But for Aaron Schock, this fundraiser is about much more than money. Although a president’s visit normally sports price tags of about $1,000 per plate and $10,000 per photo op, Schock cut the cost by half, selling tickets for $500 a piece and pictures with the president for about $5,000 to accommodate more people. “One of my primary goals in this fundraiser is talking about the issues and making my supporters aware of the talking points of the race,” says Schock. “A good turnout will get the community engaged in the race and start the positive buzz throughout the district.”

And it isn’t just the Peoria community that’s becoming involved. According to Schock, those from outlying communities, such as Decatur and Quincy, are taking an interest in the big event. “It’s a great way for Peoria to be showcased to a lot of people who don’t live in this community,” he says.

In response to rumors that the high-class event may be a preface to what some say is the candid narcissism often associated with the hubris of the young, Schock claims that at the end of the day, he believes the election will be about the three candidates in the race rather than who hosted the different fundraisers.

“I think that ultimately, voters will look at the issues and not at who supported who,” he says. “I believe the ultimate question voters will have is who will be best able to govern.”

The Republican candidate has raised more than $407,000 in the last three months and about $1.5 million since he began running for the seat last year, not including the money raised from the Bush fundraiser. “I’ve always given every campaign my all,” says Schock. “That means going door to door day after day and doing whatever it takes to get the message out and doing as much as I can to run an effective race.”

Democratic opponent Colleen Callahan has about $155,400 cash on hand after raising around $227,000, according to reports from the Federal Election Commission. After the reporting period came to a close June 30th, Callahan claimed she had raised additional funds for a total of about $280,000 raised during her four-month campaign period. Schock, who has been in the race since August 2007, reportedly raised about $800,000 during his first five months on the campaign trail.

Not at all daunted by Schock’s support from The White House, Callahan continuously sports a positive attitude, attracting voters from all classes and from across party lines. “For me, this campaign is about a person, not a party,” she says. “Even though there hasn’t been a Democrat in the congressional seat in 90 years, this is the right time, and my supporters across party lines believe this is the right time and the right person to serve.”

The Democratic candidate received an endorsement in early July from United States House of Representatives Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the second highest-ranking member in Congress since 2006 who is currently serving his 14th term representing Maryland’s 5th Congressional District. The Majority Leader held a rally for Callahan last month at the UAW Hall. Hoyer also made other stops in the Peoria area in support of Callahan, including Caterpillar and other city-area businesses.

Callahan was overwhelmed by the Majority Leader’s support. “(My campaign staff and I) all agreed it was surreal,” says Callahan. “This was the first time we’d been involved on this level. To have a Majority Leader speak on your behalf is absolutely incredible, but moreover, to have 250 to 300 people at a rally all supporting you—it was truly the igniter for our campaign!” The rally, although it was not, according to Callahan, officially termed a fundraiser, brought in about $4,400 dollars.

Although Hoyer’s rally was a high point in Callahan’s campaign, several other fundraisers have filled and continue to fill her calendar. “We had a fundraiser at The Joint in Chicago hosted by Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias,” she says. “We’ve also had attorneys in the area host a fundraiser at the Janson Building in downtown Peoria.”

Callahan’s campaign also raised money in Washington, D.C., holding a fundraiser that was organized primarily along agricultural lines. In addition, Senator John Sullivan and his family opened up their home to host a Saturday tea for Callahan.

“So many people are coming forward from across party lines, and that builds the enthusiasm this campaign has come to experience,” she says. “I have people coming up to me weekly, offering to volunteer in any way they can. We have a lot of support from different backgrounds.”

The Democratic candidate hosted a fish fry for $15.00 a plate from 4:00 -8:00 p.m. at the Kickapoo Sportsman’s Club alongside Schock’s fundraiser on July 25th in an effort to compete with the approximately $700,000 the president is expected to help raise for her opponent.

Callahan was hesitant to predict how middle-classers will react to Schock’s $500-a-head fundraiser when the voting booths open in November. “Only time will tell,” she says.

As the summer cools down and the campaign heats up, voters can be certain of one thing: they’re in for an interesting ride.

Tags: Colleen Callahan, Aaron Schock, fund raising