Davis leads fund-raising in 13th Congressional District

Financial disclosure reports released Monday show parity among incumbent Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) and former Madison County judge Ann Callis, an Edwardsville Democrat, in fourth quarter fund-raising in the crowded 13^th Congressional District.

At $258,834 in total contributions, Callis came close to the support Davis received at $285,581. However, Davis’s cash on hand going into the election year was more than twice what Callis had on hand - $1,061,026 for Davis to $517,129 for Callis.

Davis, a freshman congressman, faces GOP challenger Erika Harold of Urbana and Mike Firsching of Moro in the March 18 primary.

Harold raised $64,379 in the fourth quarter and had $121,944 cash on hand at end of the year.

While Davis has a distinct cash advantage, Harold said in a statement that it is “the quality of a candidate’s ideas – and not the quantity of special interest dollars” that will decide the race.

She campaigned in Edwardsville last week with 2012 Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, a businessman from Georgia.

“It is no secret that the political establishment continues to actively work to prevent citizens from supporting our campaign,” Harold said in a statement. “But this attempt to deprive voters in the district of a real choice on the ballot has only served to galvanize our ever expanding team of grassroots supporters.”

In the meantime, a spokesman for Davis said the incumbent is running a “serious, professional campaign.”

"Congressman Davis is incredibly grateful for the support he's received from so many across the 13th District,” said campaign spokesman Andrew Flach. “With more than $1 million on hand heading into 2014, we've shown that we are running a serious, professional campaign and that our supporters recognize that Congressman Davis has lived up to the promises he made in 2012."

Firsching’s campaign did not report any contributions last year. 

Callis, who had served as chief judge in the Third Circuit, stepped down in May to make a run for Congress. 

She has said she is running to bring a new approach to fixing what is broken in Washington.

“Each day, I hear how angry people are with Washington and the lack of leadership from Congressman Davis, who has continued to put politics first,” Callis said in a statement. “I am running because I know things can be better. I will bring my different approach to Washington that focuses on solving problems, and puts results ahead of political games.”

Callis will face George Gollin and David Green, both from Champaign, in the primary. 

Gollin raised $100,696 and had $265,408 on hand at the end of the year.

Green did not report receiving any contributions in 2013.