Lake County Gazette

Courtney Parella, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee criticized U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Crystal Lake) recently, claiming she supports a socialist agenda.

“Lauren Underwood will support her party’s socialist agenda to try and keep her seat, regardless of how Democrats’ policies are crushing Illinois voters.” Parella said in a brief press release. The release also cited a Bloomberg Government interview with Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) who said a campaign fundraiser was intended "to build alliances across the party to pass parts of the progressive agenda.”

Parella made her comments after Jayapal (D-WA) held the virtual fundraising event to benefit five Democratic legislators, including Underwood, who represents Illinois' 14th Congressional District. Parella criticizes Underwood for working with "socialist" Jayapal.

The fundraiser brought in more than $300,000. Jayapal heads a “Medicare for All” political action committee in support of her legislation, H.R. 1976. Jayapal is also the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Jayapal is featured on Bernie Sanders' website, which notes, "Pramila Jayapal is the lead sponsor of Medicare for All in the House, and together we recently proposed emergency legislation to provide universal health coverage during this pandemic."

Underwood defeated Jim Oberweis for the 14th District seat in 2020 by only 1 percentage point. She first won election in 2018 against Republican Randy Hultgren.

Republican challengers running in the 14th District include Scott Gryder, Michael Koolidge, and Susan Starrett. The primary election is on June 28, and the general election will take place on Nov. 8.