Fundraising records show who’s lining up behind 50th House candidates
Keith Wheeler has a state senator on his side, and Beth Goncher has her boss, a departing state legislator, on hers, according to campaign records for people seeking to become the next 50th District State House representative.
The two are seeking the Republican nomination March 18. The current representative, Republican Kay Hatcher, is not seeking re-election.
Former Kane County auditor Bill Keck of Sugar Grove and Julie Cosimo of Oswego are also seeking the nomination. The state election board website indicates that neither has filed a Statement of Organization for a campaign committee. Candidates don’t have to do that until they raise or spend at least $5,000.
Wheeler, of Oswego, had raised $15,908 as of Dec. 31, according to his fourth-quarter report.
Of that, $4,000 came from the Friends of Jim Oberweis committee. H. Linden and Sons Sewer and Water of Yorkville gave $2,500 in cash. Wheeler, wife Lisa, and Wheeler’s business, Responsive Networks LLC, donated $1,704 worth of food, office supplies, stickers, buttons, T-shirts and raffle prizes.
Wheeler’s committee gave $1,000 to the Oberweis for Senate committee.
Goncher of Aurora has received $8,479 through Jan. 15.
That includes $2,000 in cash and transfers from the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois; $1,000 from Leonardi Appliances and $1,000 from Dan and Julie Leonardi of Aurora; $500 in cash from the Friends of Tim Schmitz, which also paid a $502 bill to Jemm Strategies of Batavia for “petition assistance;” $250 from retired Kane County judge Peter Grometer; and $150 from Kane County Board member Mike Kenyon.
Goncher is the legislative and constituent services manager for 65th House District Rep. Tim Schmitz, and his campaign manager. Schmitz is not seeking re-election.
Jemm Strategies is owned by Ellen Nottke, who has been a consultant for the Kane County Republican Central Committee and chairman of the Batavia Township Republican Organization.
Former Yorkville Mayor Valerie Burd is unopposed in seeking the Democratic nomination. Her quarterly report showed she raised $25.