IL-11: Race Not over Yet After Strong Quarter From Ozinga

For several months now, the open seat in Illinois' 11th district has been considered one of the Democrats' top pickup opportunities. Democrats nabbed a strong recruit in State Senate President Debbie Halvorson, while the winner of the Republican primary, New Lenox mayor Tim Baldermann, dropped out shortly after the primary. But the GOP has actually developed some momentum here: they recruited businessman Marin Ozinga to replace Balderman, they have attempted to tie Halvorson to unpopular Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich with some success, and in the second quarter Ozinga outraised Halvorson by better than 2:1, leaving him only about $250K behind her in cash on hand. Obama's strength at the top of the ticket in Illionis and Halvorson's strength as a candidate still gives her the edge, but not by much. Significant►SLIGHT ADVANTAGE FOR HALVORSON.