IL-14: Randy Hultgren moves from Lean Republican to Tossup

[RandySF]

A Siena College/New York Times poll taken the past week showed Hultgren leading Democratic nurse and former HHS official Lauren Underwood 47 percent to 43 percent. But the poll also found the four-term GOP incumbent unknown to 42 percent of voters, an ominous omen for a down-the-line conservative in a heavily suburban seat that voted for President Trump just 48 percent to 45 percent.

When Republican strategists express worry about getting buried by a "green wave" of Democratic cash, the expensive Chicago media market could be a prime example. Hultgren, not known for his pizzazz, had $1 million on hand at the end of June. But the 32-year old Underwood raised $2 million in the most recent fundraising quarter and could outspend Hultgren considerably in the final stretch.

Underwood has been up on air since mid-September with an ad talking about her pre-existing heart condition and how Hultgren's vote to repeal the ACA inspired her to run. This week, Hultgren and the NRCC felt compelled to respond with ads accusing Underwood of being "bankrolled" by state House Speaker Mike Madigan's machine and supporting a "government takeover of healthcare."

The big danger for Illinois Republicans: Gov. Bruce Rauner is getting trounced in his reelection race and could drag others down with him. A new Reuters/Ipsos/University of Virginia Center for Politics poll found Democrats leading the generic congressional ballot in Illinois 57 percent to 35 percent. That's particularly treacherous for GOP members who lack their own strong brand, such as Hultgren.


https://www.cookpolitical.com/index.php/analysis/house/house-overview/house-rating-changes-post-kavanaugh-polls-reveal-even-more-polarized


LAUREN UNDERWOOD





https://www.underwoodforcongress.com

[lunasun]

1. I am in Illinois and have donated . She is getting closer everyday to winning!!

There is a lot of fundraising for her all over IL she has a great story. Glad to hear her area is listening
Hope they GOTV

[Hermit-The-Prog]

2. times like this I'd love to be rich

There are so many young, promising candidates running this year!

[nevergiveup]

3. She certainly has a shot at it.

The area along the Fox River between Aurora and Elgin is flooded with Underwood yard signs. I have never seen anything like it for a Democrat except maybe in 2008 for Obama. This has been a traditionally blue area that has been trending less red over the last few years. If there is a huge voter turn-out/ blue wave here in the heavier populated valley to offset the more western rural area of the district she may pull this off. A mediocre blue wave probably won't do it although it would be close.