There's a lot at stake in Illinois' 13th congressional district for Republicans and that's why Vice President Mike Pence said he made a stop in Springfield on Friday.
Pence said the district race could make, or break, Republican control of Congress during a stump speech for U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville.
Flanked by U.S. Reps John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, and Adam Kinzinger, R-Channahon, Davis said they know how important his district is for the party.
“I think our race has always been known as a competitive district,” Davis said. “My race is a competitive district.”
Davis said his district was drawn by Illinois Democrats in 2011 after redistricting where Illinois lost a congressman because of population declines, but he's still been able to keep the seat since taking office in 2013.
Davis hosted Pence at the high-dollar Springfield fundraiser Friday, where individual tickets started at $500. Pence is the third White House official to visit the district in four months. President Donald Trump visited for the reopening of steel mill in Granite City in July. Less than a month later, Ivanka Trump visited Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey for a workforce training roundtable. Pence’s visit to Springfield on Friday had heavier political overtones.
Davis said Illinois Republicans have a fight to win.
“We’ve got four congressional races that we need your help in making sure that everyone gets out and votes,” Davis said. “Republicans can win when we get out and vote. And Republicans can win when we talk about our successes.”
Pence touted those success, ranging from trade deals to the recent tax cuts. He said Democrats want to roll back those cuts.
“There’s another term for rolling back the tax cuts, it’s a tax increase,” Pence said. “And we’re not going to let that happen to the people of central Illinois.”
Pence said there's a lot at stake in the midterm election, and Davis’ reelection is part of that.
“The truth of the matter is that Illinois 13 may be the district that decides whether or not we have a Republican majority or whether [U.S. Rep.] Nancy Pelosi, D-California, is speaker of the house.”
Londrigan’s campaign issued a statement about the visit.
“Washington D.C. Republicans are so worried about losing Rodney Davis’ loyal vote that they’re pulling out all the stops to raise even more money from the large corporations and special interests that Davis gave a massive tax break to in Congress," said Londrigan campaign manager Emma Brown.
Earlier this month, Londrigan picked up the endorsement of former President Barack Obama.