When NDFA -- Northside (Chicago) Democracy for America -- endorsed Leslie Coolidge for Congress in the 6th CD, it was a gesture of support, not any great hope of winning. The 6th, which has been Republican for many terms, was redistricted as a "Red Sink" by the Democratic IL legislature.
With Ryan raised to prominence, and the Ryan budget raised to prominence with him, though, the race starts to look possible. Pete Roskam, the Republican incumbent, voted for the Ryan budget every chance he had.
The Coolidge Campaign has begun to canvas to get her name out there. Saturday, I went out to participate. It wasn't the best day to get from Chicago to the far western suburbs -- the "Air and Water Show" was going on, and the roads were jammed. Two others who planned to go out were defeated by the traffic. Once we got in the field, though, it was near-ideal canvassing weather.
The precinct we covered was previously part of the 8th CD (Joe Walsh). If Leslie was unknown, Roskam wasn't known all that much better. I hit doors selected by the campaign, and often got a warm response.