The fight for Congressman Ray Lahood's seat has political big wigs coming out in droves. The 18th congressional district seat has been under Republican control since 1918.
In April former House Minority leader Bob Michel threw his support behind Republican Candidate Aaron Schock.
Today U-S House Majority leader Steny Hoyer came to the land of Lincoln to rally supporters behind Democratic Candidate Colleen Callahan.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer was at the UAW Hall in East Peoria stumping for Colleen Callahan.
"She's an excellent candidate because I think she represents the values of this district and of Illinois and of the Midwest," says Rep. Hoyer.

Callahan says Stoyer's endorsement is more than an added boost for her campaign but it's a landmark moment in the race.
"For our majority leader to come in and to host and lead this rally is an incredible mark of enthusiasm for how this race has captured the attention not only locally but in Washington D.C as well."
That attention has her positioned on the emerging races list, which could mean national funding to help her compete with Republican candidate Aaron Schock.
"I think she's going to do well in the polls we think the polls are going to start reflecting a real response to Colleen Callahan," says Hoyer.

"We have just completed the second quarter in fundraising.
We exceeded our expectations and frankly and that kind of momentum and enthusiasm as it relates to fundraising. Also it creates momentum," said Callahan.

Momentum that Callahan hopes will carry her through November Fourth.
If so she would be the first Democrat in 90 years to win the 18th Congressional District seat.

Colleen Callahan says since she announced her candidacy in March her campaign has raised about a quarter of a million dollars.