WHEATON – Republican Peter Roskam (IL-06)'s first bid for Congress in 2006 was the toughest Democrat challenge he's encountered thus far. But because the 6th CD went for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump last November, Democrats are counting the district as a possible pickup in 2018.
Democrats are lining up to challenge Roskam, Crain's Greg Hinz reported Wednesday morning:
Among those confirming that they either intend to run or are seriously considering doing so in Roskam's west suburban 6th District are Amanda Howland, a lawyer and psychologist who got 42 percent of the vote against him in 2016; Barrington Hills Planning Commission member Kelly Mazeski, a former state senate hopeful and ex-financial consultant; and Carole Cheney, who now works as district chief of staff for neighboring Congressman Bill Foster, D-Geneva.
While Roskam told Hinz he's dealt with the DCCC before, and is confident the district likes the positions he's taken on controversial issues such as repealing Obamacare and reforming the tax code, Roskam does face some dissatisfaction within the Tea Party ranks of the GOP. He faced a primary challenger in 2016 that the Tea Party preferred over Roskam – something Roskam may need to address at home before 2018 commences.
Roskam doesn't appear to be worried about the in-party consternation, though. He sounded confident with Hinz:
While Hillary Clinton may have out-polled Trump in the district in November, "I did better than John McCain (when he was the GOP presidential nominee) and outdid Obama in Obama's big year (2008,) says Roskam. "I know the district and the playbook."
