Yesterday, I had a chance to talk with 13th District Democratic congressional candidate Scott Harper at the Austin Convention Center, where Netroots Nation is being held. I asked him about his solid fundraising during the second quarter and about his thoughts on the rising unemployment rate in Illinois:
DCCC Notices Harper Fundraising
by Josh Kalven on July 18, 2008 - 9:43am
We noted on Wednesday that Democratic congressional candidate Scott Harper's fundraising during the 2nd quarter was sure to raise eyebrows in the 13th District and beyond. Indeed, after hearing the news that Harper kept pace with GOP Rep. Judy Biggert -- raising $228,000 to her $240,000 -- the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released this statement:
"Illinois voters have had enough of out of touch politicians like Congresswoman Biggert who rubber stamps President Bush’s failed agenda and is beholden to special interests. During these tough economic times, Scott Harper is winning over middle class families with his message of bringing people together to end our dependence on foreign oil, create jobs and deliver change."
The Harper campaign also sent out a memo featuring some interesting breakdowns of his fundraising totals, as well as some historical perspective:
- Harper raised $185,000 from individual contributors, which was a $55,000 advantage over Biggert.
- Harper had already raised more by the end of March than any Democratic candidate here has ever raised for an entire cycle.
- Scott has already raised more than the combined cycle totals of the last four Democratic candidates.
- Harper has received individual contributes from 732 donors compared to Biggert’s 534.
As we reported back in April, Biggert is on the DCCC's list of "targeted Republicans."
The Real Judy Biggert
by Josh Kalven on June 16, 2008 - 9:51am
Late last week, Democratic congressional challenger Scott Harper launched a website devoted to documenting GOP incumbent Rep. Judy Biggert's support of the Bush agenda. It can be found at www.therealjudybiggert.com and is worth checking out.
In the Iraq section, the Harper campaign points out that Biggert "said in November 2006 that Iraqis would be able to handle their responsibilities alone 'within the next 12 to 18 months.' " That 18-month period would have ended in May and it appears that the Iraqi troops aren't quite ready to go it alone. If I were Harper, I'd be asking Judy for an explanation.
An Interview With Scott Harper
by Mose Buchele on May 25, 2008 - 7:19pm
When I recently visited Democrat Scott Harper’s Naperville campaign headquarters the place was full of activity. Volunteers lined a table in the middle of the office stuffing envelopes. Staffers typed intently or made calls from their desks. It was a Thursday morning, five and a half months before Election Day, but the atmosphere was charged and the group was focused. This fact alone should give Illinois Republicans pause.
Harper is running to represent the 13th Congressional District, which has long been a GOP stronghold. Once represented by none other than former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the seat is currently held by five-term Republican Judy Biggert.
But the tide might be turning. Democrat Bill Foster's upset victory in the neighboring 14th District, along with a national and local trend to the left, has many people predicting that Harper can defeat Biggert. Early indicators are hopeful. The campaign boasted record-breaking fundraising numbers in their first quarter, and the district has been included in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC) list of targeted seats in November. Adding to this momentum is Harper’s contention that he will fight harder than any of the district's previous Democratic candidates to ensure his message is heard.
A native son of the 13th, Harper has traveled the world during the course of his career. A successful business owner and entrepreneur, he is also an aspiring scholar in the field of social ethics.
To give our readers a better understanding of the first-time candidate, I sat down with Harper to learn more about the Democratic reawakening in the collar counties, his growing volunteer force, and why the DCCC is focusing on the race. We also discussed a variety of policy matters including Iraq, the importance of electricity in any national energy policy, and how his experience with manufacturing helped shape his economic views. Continue reading »
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DCCC To Run Radio Ad Hitting Kirk For Vote On Iraq Bill
by Josh Kalven on May 25, 2008 - 5:01pm
Tomorrow, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will run a radio ad criticizing Rep. Mark Kirk for his decision to vote "present" last week on the House's version of the Iraq war funding bill. The bill included an amendment that modernized the G.I. Bill by expanding education benefits for military veterans and offset the cost with a tax hike on individuals making over $500,000 annually and couples earning more than $1 million. The bill also mandated President Bush to being drawing down the number of troops in Iraq with 30 days of its enactment.
Over 130 Republicans joined Kirk in voting "present" on the bill, including almost all of Illinois' GOP congressional delegation: Reps. Judy Biggert, Peter Roskam, John Shimkus, Don Manzullo, and Jerry Weller.
With the ad-buy, the DCCC is making clear how serious they are about targeting Kirk this time around. After all, it's six months until Election Day and Chicago is one of the country's more expensive media markets.
You can here the DCCC's ad here.
Veterans Take Center Stage In 13th District
by Mose Buchele on May 22, 2008 - 5:14pm
As the Senate passed the new G.I. Bill today by a veto-proof majority, 13th District congressional candidate Scott Harper held a press conference calling attention to the voting record of his opponent, Republican Rep. Judy Biggert, who opposed the bill in the House.
From the Harper campaign press release:
“Judy Biggert’s vote against the GI Bill is outrageous,” said Harper. “Time and again, she has been on the wrong side of these important issues and her vote on this recent legislation is a failure of leadership.”
In addition to her vote on the GI Bill, Harper also criticized Biggert for numerous other votes against veterans, including in 2007, when she came out against a budget that would have increased funding for veterans’ health care by $6.7 billion. She also voted against expanding TRICARE to provide health benefits for National Guard members and reservists, and she voted down the Webb Amendment to increase time off between combat tours overseas.
Harper was joined by veterans of Desert Storm and the Vietnam war in supporting the new G.I. Bill. The group has begun circulating a petition to encourage expanding veterans benefits.
The DCCC Is Watching
by Josh Kalven on May 05, 2008 - 9:59am
Watching the 13th Congressional District, that is.
We noted in early April that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) had added IL-13 to it's list of targeted races. This means they intend to offer organizational and research assistance to Scott Harper's bid to unseat Republican Rep. Judy Biggert. Today, the Herald News reports on this "national nod," noting that the DCCC isn't ruling out naming Harper to its high-profile "Red-To-Blue" list later in the year:
"There's no firm commitment at this point, but we're hopeful down the road," Harper said.
Ryan Rudominer, Midwest regional press secretary for the committee, said the DCCC is watching the 13th District, although he declined to comment on whether the party would contribute financially to Harper's campaign.
"Congresswoman Biggert has largely ignored the economic needs of middle-class families, she rubber stamps President Bush's failed agenda and we're keeping an eye on this race," Rudominer said.
In related news, the Harper campaign organized 38 volunteers over the weekend to canvass for Obama in Lafayette, IN. Over at Prairie State Blue, Mark Garrity has a first-hand run-down. For more on Chicagoland Obama supporters volunteering for him in Indiana, check out Mose's recent feature.
Scott Harper: It's Time To "Start Phasing Out Our Presence" In Iraq
by Josh Kalven on May 01, 2008 - 11:58am
Here's 13th District congressional candidate Scott Harper's statement on the "Mission Accomplished" anniversary:
“President Bush and his allies in Congress like Judy Biggert have botched this war from the beginning,” said Harper. “Five years after the President declared major combat over, the war in Iraq continues to take a grave toll on our troops and their families, our military readiness, the fight against terrorism, our standing in the world and on the American economy."
“We’ve lost thousands of our finest young men and women since President Bush declared major combat ended,” said Harper. “And instead of demanding timetables and accountability to get us out of Iraq, Judy Biggert has given George Bush a $500 billion blank check to wage this war.”
“We need a new direction in Iraq to start phasing out our presence and withdrawing our troops so that the Iraqi government takes responsibility for themselves,” said Harper. “And we need benchmarks and accountability to ensure progress is being made there.”
“Maybe George Bush and Judy Biggert think the mission in Iraq has been accomplished but I don’t think the American people do,” said Harper.
Kirk And Biggert Push Hollow Earmark Pledge
by Adam Doster on April 21, 2008 - 9:53am
Facing tough Democratic challengers here in Illinois, Republican Reps. Judy Biggert and Mark Kirk are clearly seeking ways to differentiate themselves from their opponents and appeal to their moderate constituents. As The Politico reported on Friday, earmarks are their chosen target:
Five House Republicans, representing various segments of the party, asked their GOP colleagues Friday not to submit earmark requests this year.
The group includes a top conservative (Republican Study Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling of Texas), an appropriator (Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk), a member of the elected leadership (Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia) and one of the remaining moderate Republicans in the House (Illinois Rep. Judy Biggert). California Rep. Devin Nunes rounds out the group.
Politically, it's a smart move. The request is voluntary, so it won't require any legislative maneuvering, and the lawmakers can still tell voters they did their best to limit spending in the nation's capital. But at its core, the request is hollow -- not a hard push for fiscal responsibility:
These five lawmakers would like their GOP colleagues to join them by voluntarily forgoing any earmarks this year. But since few expect Congress to finish its spending bills — or President Bush to sign them into law if they include these member-requested projects — this might not be the sacrifice it looks like.
And in the end, the issue of earmarks may not match the GOP rhetoric. Scott Lilly at the Center for American Progress points out that John McCain is using a loose and outdated definition of earmarks to dramatize the problem on the trail.
(More after the jump ...)
First Quarter Fundraising Figures
by Josh Kalven on April 17, 2008 - 3:22pm
In the past week, we've reported on the trickle of first quarter fundraising numbers in Illinois' most competitive congressional races. Now that the filing deadline has passed and the Federal Election Commission has had a few days to catch up, all the numbers are available for the period beginning January 17 and ending March 31. We've compiled them in the table below:
