Rep. Foster raised $463,000 in first quarter

WASHINGTON — Rep. Bill Foster D-Ill. facing a potentially robust re-election battle with state Rep. Darlene Senger R-Naperville, will report raising $463,000 in the first quarter of 2014 and will have $1,186,000 cash-on-hand.

This comes as Foster, heading towards the November election, is building up his team. He’s signed on Craig Belden to be his campaign manager. Belden comes to the west suburban Illinois 11^th congressional district battle from state and federal campaigns in Virginia and California. Ben Huntley is Foster’s finance director.

The National Republican Congressional Committee gave Senger a boost after she won the March 18 Illinois primary. She isone of 17 GOP candidates who will be getting extra assistance from the NRCC as part of their “Contender” program.

From the NRCC: “Contender” candidates have completed stringent program metrics and are on the path to developing a mature and competitive campaign operation. They are in congressional seats that appear favorable to the GOP candidate.”