Roskam among Republicans on tightrope with constituents over Trump

Rep. Peter Roskam, of Wheaton, a six-term incumbent with a high profile and fundraising muscle in a reliably Republican district, would not be the target of the House Democrats’ campaign arm in normal times.

But Roskam is alone among the state’s seven Republican congressmen in that he won another term in November in a district that favored Hillary Clinton for the White House.

And the day after Roskam’s staff canceled a meeting with 16 constituents concerned about the possible repeal of Obamacare under President Donald Trump, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was ready to pounce.

"If he and his Republican colleagues continue to run scared from their constituents who want to have their voices heard, and share their stories about how the Affordable Care Act has improved their lives, the backlash is only going to grow stronger," said Tyler Law, the DCCC’s national press secretary.

Rep. Roskam’s office cancels ACA meeting when reporter shows up Linda Girardi

A group of 16 constituents that arranged to meet with staff members at the West Chicago district office of U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) Wednesday about their concerns with a repeal of the Affordable Care Act were abruptly told they would have to reschedule after staff realized a member of…

(Linda Girardi)

Roskam’s situation illustrates the fine line some Republican lawmakers find themselves walking with a divisive party flag bearer in the White House. Roskam in the 2016 campaign mostly steered clear of Trump, whom he’s never met but for whom he voted.

He said he agrees with Trump on replacing the ACA and overhauling the tax code, but disagrees with the bid to impose a 20 percent tariff on Mexican imports. On Trump’s ban on immigrants and refugees from seven mostly Muslim nations, Roskam said the "implementation was bumpy" but he supports "the underlying theme."

Back home, he will clearly have to deal with Trump’s actions. A Facebook group called "6th District of Illinois-Holding Peter Roskam Accountable" has sprung up to urge calls to Roskam.

Protesters planned to turn out Saturday at Roskam’s appearance before the Palatine Township Republican Organization’s monthly meeting. The session had been open to the public but was closed because of high demand, said Aaron Del Mar, the group’s chairman.

By Friday, 80 to 90 people had expressed interest in attending, so "preferential treatment" is being given to the organization’s members, whom Del Mar said were "excited" to hear Roskam discuss priorities of the new Congress.

Rep. Roskam’s office cancels ACA meeting Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News Constituent Sandy Alexander of Glen Ellyn speaks with the group that came for a planned meeting at U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam’s office Wednesday in West Chicago. The meeting was suddenly called off. Constituent Sandy Alexander of Glen Ellyn speaks with the group that came for a planned meeting at U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam’s office Wednesday in West Chicago. The meeting was suddenly called off. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

"If it was at a public library or if it was a town hall, that would be one thing," Del Mar said. "This is a private office where we host Republican-only events. So if they’re not Republicans, they’re not getting in."

As many as 100 people will protest at Saturday’s meeting, said Carolynne Funk, of Lake Zurich, who is helping organize the protest. She wants Roskam to lead a public meeting to hear concerns about his support of some of Trump’s policies.

Roskam "signing on seemingly completely with the Donald Trump agenda, I think that extremist position is really out of touch with the voice of the people in this community," Funk said.

Roskam is one of 20 Republicans in the U.S. House targeted to harness backlash against Republicans, the DCCC said last week. The DCCC said it was hiring a full-time organizer in Roskam’s district in an effort called "March into ’18."

The group envisions house parties, phone banks and social media disrupting Roskam’s prospects. It plans Twitter ads aimed at people who took part in the Jan. 21 women’s marches or rallies to back the Affordable Care Act, Law said.

Roskam’s 6th Congressional District is mostly in DuPage County and spills into Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties. He coasted to re-election in the fall with 59 percent of the vote, as did his GOP colleague, Rep. Randy Hultgren, of Plano.

Group upset with Trump wants Town Hall meeting with Hultgren Linda Girardi

After dozens of residents called for a Town Hall meeting on President Donald Trump’s executive orders and Cabinet choices, U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren’s office staff said “some form” of forum will be put together to give citizens a chance to share their views.

About 65 people attempted to file into…

(Linda Girardi)

Hultgren, swept into Congress in 2010’s tea party wave and now in his fourth term, also has been hearing from constituents who favor the ACA. More than 60 people lined up Tuesday at his Campton Hills office but only two were admitted, according to a published report.

Hultgren, like Roskam a former state representative and senator, represents a district that favored Trump in November. Hultgren turned down a Tribune request about what happened in his Campton Hills office and did not respond to written questions.

He issued a statement Friday evening saying: "We unfortunately are living in a time when emotions are high and reactions can be unpredictable."

It will likely take more than a Democratic staffer in the district to unseat Roskam. After defeating future U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth by less than 3 percentage points, Roskam has won re-election by a landslide five times, including under redrawn boundaries that pushed his territory to the west and northwest.

Constituents of U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News

A group of constituents on Jan. 31, 2017, wanting to voice their opinions about President Donald Trump, fill a hallway of the Campton Hills congressional office of U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Plano.

(Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

Roskam said his call volume this year was not "particularly high, but it’s high," and callers had expressed views for and against Trump.

Constituents were turned away from Wednesday’s planned meeting with district staffers because the group wanted to bring a reporter into the session, he said, though the constituent who scheduled the meeting also said they were willing to meet without the journalist. The residents ended up with a meeting of their own and a reporter captured their pro-ACA testimonials.

"Shame on Peter Roskam," said Sandra Alexander, of Glen Ellyn, who set up the meeting.

Roskam said Thursday the constituent meeting would be rescheduled — without the press. He also disputed complaints that he has been inaccessible, and blamed the DCCC for "moving stories" to suggest otherwise.

In 2016, he said, he had 74 meetings in his district office; had 30 roundtable table discussions; made 21 visits to schools and 107 visits to local hospitals, businesses and nonprofits; had 113 speaking engagements; and was at 147 other meetings, events and award presentations, he said.

"The DCCC is not new to me," he said. "They were very active in my 2006 and 2008 race, so it comes with the territory."

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