First-Time Candidate Makes Impressive Showing While Refusing Corporate PAC Money

CHICAGO, IL—Former U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and White House attorney and first-time congressional candidate, Reed Showalter, has raised more than $100,000 in the first 14 days of his campaign for Illinois’ Seventh Congressional District. Reed launched his campaign on September 16th, just two weeks before the 2025 October quarterly fundraising deadline. 

In those two weeks, Reed orchestrated an impressive fundraising effort, with contributions from nearly 300 unique donors, underscoring the campaign's ability to compete without accepting corporate PAC money.

“I am humbled by the outpouring of support we have received in the first stage of our campaign,” said Reed Showalter. “For too long, our government has allowed massive corporations to rip off everyday people by driving up the costs of basic necessities. It is time for us to take that power and give it back to the people. Housing, healthcare, and food costs are skyrocketing, and a wealthy few are getting rich off the spoils. This did not just happen; it is the result of poor policy choices. We can change that, and that is what this campaign is all about.”

Reed has dedicated his career to fighting against corporate power and for lower costs for consumers and higher wages for workers. Reed knows that the system is rigged against working families, and he is committed to making life more affordable for everyone.   

“Democrats need to show that we can actually make people’s lives better,” said Showalter. “As a Member of Congress, I will be laser-focused on actually delivering lower costs and better outcomes for people in Chicago and across the country. And our vision must go beyond simply fighting the overreach of the Trump Administration. We must articulate a vision for a future worth fighting for.”

Reed Showalter grew up in Oak Park, and now lives in West Loop with his wife, Marina, and their two dogs. Reed has spent his career in federal public service, working as an attorney fighting to break up the political and economic power that controls our lives and makes basic necessities too expensive. Reed has taken on corrupt financial institutions, defended Chicagoans from eviction, and gone after huge corporations that drive up prices for American families. In his campaign for Congress in Illinois’ Seventh District, Reed is ready to bring that fight back home. View Reed’s campaign announcement video here.