Trump hosting tele-rally for Jim Oberweis: Challenging Lauren Underwood in Illinois 14 Congress bid

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is headlining a tele-rally on Thursday evening for Republican House hopeful Jim Oberweis, who is challenging freshman Rep. Lauren Underwood for a Chicago-area congressional seat, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.

The Trump rally for Oberweis, a state senator, was confirmed by his campaign. It was arranged at the last minute. The campaign did not publicize the Thursday evening event nor did it seek press coverage.

The rally, which was not publicized, is intended as a get-out-the-vote drive targeting Republicans. Oberweis and Underwood are facing off in the 14th Congressional District, where voters are willing to split their tickets.

Trump won the district in 2016, while in 2018, Underwood defeated four-term Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill., 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent.

Oberweis last week landed a sought-after endorsement from Trump.

Trump said in a Tweet, Oberweis “will be a terrific Congressman for Illinois! A successful businessman, he will Create Jobs, Lower Taxes, Defend Law & Order, and Protect your Second Amendment from the Radical Left. Jim has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Underwood, 34, is a Naperville resident; Jim Oberweis, 74, lives in Sugar Grove.

The sprawling 14th Congressional District hugs the Chicago outer suburbs up to the Wisconsin border and includes parts of Lake, McHenry, Kane, DeKalb, Kendall, DuPage, and Will Counties. It meanders from Antioch to Yorkville and beyond and sweeps in suburban and rural areas.