House GOP Not Assisting Vulnerable Rep. McLaughlin
Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills).
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One of the most vulnerable House Republicans in the November election will not be receiving assistance from the House GOP campaign arm, leaving him vastly underfunded in a district Democrats could pump millions into to flip the seat.
Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) is among a number of House GOP members who don’t pay “dues” to the campaign arm of the caucus. Members typically pay a fee to the caucus committee, which affords them access to caucus staff, resources, and mailings, often known as a “program.”
McLaughlin, who was elected to the House in 2020, told The Illinoize Monday he was approached by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) after she was elected leader in late 2022 to pay dues to the House GOP campaign arm, the House Republican Organization, or HRO. McCombie defeated McLaughlin in the contest for leader.
McLaughlin said McCombie asked him to join HRO, but the two disagreed on the way to use McLaughlin’s money and he never sent a payment.
One GOP operative we spoke to categorized the issue as one between McLaughlin and McCombie.
“It isn’t the Hatfield’s & McCoy’s,” another GOP operative said. “It’s mostly just petty.”
McLaughlin played down the riff between he and McCombie, claiming it “isn’t a big deal” and said he doesn’t need the House GOP’s staff and support.
HRO Chair Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) could not be reached Monday.
Democrats, meanwhile, have already reported spending around $300,000 since July supporting McLaughlin’s opponent, Maria Peterson, who narrowly lost a race for Senate two years ago.
House Speaker Chris Welch’s political organization has spent around $140,000 on direct mail and another around $100,000 on digital ads, in addition to staff and polling. Peterson has also reported around $65,000 in large donations this quarter, mostly from unions or Democratic politicians.
The massive spending gap is likely to increase, as McLaughlin reports raising $33,000 in large donations this quarter and had around $100,000 in the bank at the end of the June.
President Biden won McLaughlin’s district by about six points in 2020. Governor Pritzker won it by about seven points in 2022. McLaughlin defeated an underfunded Democratic challenger 52%-48% two years ago.
But as Republicans face the possibility of losing more seats in 2024 and reducing their already-record low 40 members, some Republicans are concerned the GOP won’t step in to help McLaughlin.
“Tony McCombie would rather prove a point than save a vulnerable House seat,” said another GOP operative.
Sources say outside groups are expected to come in to support McLaughlin in the coming days.