The campaign for the redrawn 10th Congressional District seat became more defined last week when one Democratic candidate left the field and Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth) put some fundraising distance between himself and the two remaining Democratic challengers. 

Wheeling attorney Robert McKenzie told Patch Sunday he is withdrawing from the race while Dold raised more than the two remaining Democrats combined, according to reports filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). 

“I didn’t feel it was the right thing anymore for my family,” McKenzie said. “I had to make a decision to go with my family.”

McKenzie has not endorsed either of his primary opponents but indicated he remains committed to putting a Democrat in the seat. 

Another potential Democratic candidate, state Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) said in a news release Friday she would not enter the race. Other candidates could decide to run before the December filing deadline. 

Schakowsky running unopposed

In the neighboring 9th District, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) continued her steady fundraising effort with no potential challenger in sight. Though Dold’s home is located in the newly drawn 9th District, he has chosen to run in the 10th rather than challenge Schakowsky. Approximately 70 percent of Dold’s constituents live within the borders of the new 10th.

Schakowsky accepted $202,416 from 498 donors during the quarter ending June 31 for a total of $455,706 this campaign cycle, according to her FEC report. She has $368,683 in the bank. 

“I feel well positioned and confident that I’ll be able to communicate with my constituents, especially those who are new to my district,” Schakowsky said. Those new people are residents of Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glenview and Northbrook who used to live in the 10th. 

Two of the Democrats vying to face Dold in the 2012 general election—Deerfield management consultant Brad Schneider and Waukegan community organizer Ilya Sheyman—had a strong financial showing, according to their FEC reports. 

Dold collected $541,330 for the second quarter from 972 donors against a combined total of $428,785 for Schneider and Sheyman. Schneider raised $321,085 for the period while Sheyman took in $107,700 from more than 1,400 sources. Of Schneider’s total, $50,000 came from his own account. 

Schneider finished the quarter with $306,150 cash on hand while Sheyman has $60,255 in the bank. Sheyman spent $46,945 during the period with $14,847 going to consultants. Schneider spent $14,945 in the same period with $2,000 paid to advisors. 

Illinois Tenth Congressional Democrats Chair Lauren Beth Gash, who lost a narrow race for the seat in 2000 to now Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park), is thrilled with the efforts of Schneider and Sheyman. 

“We have some very exciting candidates who have shown strong fundraising skills,” Gash said. “If you look at races nationwide these are incredibly respectful amounts." 

Dold raises more than competition

Dold remains in the strongest financial condition of all three, with $751,881 cash on hand after spending $110,951, including $26,500 to consultants. 

More than 20 percent of Dold’s money was donated by either people or political action committees affiliated with the financial services industry. He took in at least $113,250 from those sources, according to his FEC report. He sits on the Financial Services Committee. 

“The Congressman is grateful for the support of every individual who has contributed to his campaign,” a spokesperson for Dold said, referring to donations from the financial community. “It is the policy of his office that anything related to the campaign is kept completely separate from his official duties.” 

Many of Dold’s donations came from people who live in the 10th Congressional District or do business in the Chicago area. Dold said earlier in the week that 87 percent of his donors reside in the district. 

Schneider told Patch last Monday that 82 percent of his contributors are located in Illinois. He indicated between 300 and 400 people donated. From Sheyman’s FEC report, it appears many people giving to his campaign reside outside Illinois.

Editor's note: This article originally stated that Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth) had raised $528,304 in the second quarter. The correct figure is $541,330. We apologize for the error.