MOLINE - Sensing the Democratic stranglehold on Illinois' 17th Congressional District may be at an end with the retirement of U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, national Republican leaders are vowing financial and campaign support for GOP candidate Andrea Zinga.

A full room of fired-up Republicans met at GOP county headquarters in downtown Moline on Monday to listen to U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, promise campaign visits from U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Reynolds.

"Republicans believe this race is very winnable," LaHood said.

Evans announced last week he will not run for re-election because of increasing concerns about his health as he battles Parkinson's disease.

Zinga's campaign has risen to the level of a "top tier" race, meaning it will get more attention and potentially more dollars, LaHood said. When Zinga ran against Evans two years, LaHood said he tried unsuccessfully to get national help. This time, his calls are being answered.

Zinga said she's excited about the increased energy but said she won't change her strategy just because Evans is no longer the opponent.

"This campaign will be about three things jobs, jobs and jobs," she said. "It's going to be about issues. Every day I'm campaigning without an opponent is a day I can be out there talking about issues, and that will be an advantage."

Some apparent in-fighting among the Democrats vying to replace Evans on the November ballot is also an advantage, LaHood said. He reacted with glee to reports Rock Island County Democratic Chairman John Gianulis is organizing an open selection process, apparently without the blessing of 17th District Democratic State Central Committeeman Don Johnston.

"I hope Gianulis and his crowd try to pick the candidate because that will help Andrea," he said. "If a handful of party bosses try to hand-pick a candidate; that will benefit (her)."

Gianulis denied he, or anyone else, is trying to hand-pick a successor.

"It will be done in a democratic way, and a proper way," he said.

Further, Gianulis said neither an influx of money nor more frequent visits by high-level Republicans will carry the 17th District for Zinga.

"I don't feel it's vulnerable," he said. "We're still a Democratic county, we have enough horses, and we'll select a good candidate."

Tory Brecht can be reached at tbrecht@qctimes.com or (563) 383-2329.