In the race for incumbent Rep. Bob Dold’s 10th Congressional District House seat, Democratic challenger Brad Schneider looks to once again unseat the Republican congressman.
In 2010, Dold beat out Democrat Dan Seals to replace Sen. Mark Kirk in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dold was defeated by Schneider in 2012, but regained the seat in a 2014 rematch.
Dold, who was born and raised in Chicago’s northern suburbs, has a wide-ranging set of legislative priorities. This includes fostering job and economic growth, as well as preventing a nuclear Iran and bolstering national security. Dold has helped secure $573 billion in funding for U.S. Armed Forces and has called for a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS. Additionally, he is an advocate for immigration reform and earned legal status.
The congressman also supports a series of measures to reduce gun violence and has pushed to fight the nation’s heroin and prescription drug epidemic. The Republican supports a woman’s right to choose and has fought for LGBTQ equality. His candidacy has been endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization.
Dold believes in increased opportunity though education and advocates for a more efficient, effective and accountable government. He also advocates for affordable healthcare, but has opposed the Affordable Care Act. However, Dold has also opposed fully repealing the law until a bipartisan alternative can be put in place. The Republican also looks to protect and preserve Medicare.
Additionally, the congressman looks to protect the environment, reduce poverty and honor America’s military heroes.
“As someone that has been ranked as one of the most effective bipartisan leaders in Congress, I’m proud that my record has been defined by thoughtful independent leadership and a clear commitment to advancing bipartisan solutions to grow our economy, protect our homeland, and keep out communities safe and strong,” Dold said in a statement. “That’s why the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald have endorsed my candidacy over Brad Schneider, who has not only been chastised from his own party for running one of the most disgracefully dishonest campaigns in the country but who also amassed a record as one of the most partisan and least competent politicians in Washington during his term in Congress.”
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On the other hand, Schneider’s top priorities include creating long-term opportunities for middle-class families by growing the economy, lowering healthcare costs, making college affordable and protecting Medicare and Social Security. Schneider claimed the country needs to grow its economy “from the middle-out, not by trickling-down from the top one percent."
He also looks to ensure the safety of American communities by working to pass legislation to reduce gun violence, while also addressing education, economic opportunity and treatment of mental health. Schneider is also committed to passing comprehensive immigration reform and vows to stand up for a sustainable environment, a woman’s right to choose and LGBTQ equality. He also pledges to advocate for “maintaining the United States’ leadership position in an increasingly complex world.”
“Sadly, the single most significant issue preventing us from tackling these and other challenges is the pervasive gridlock in Congress that is blocking even the modest attempts at reform,” Schneider said in a statement. “It is simply unacceptable to continue to support the current congressional leadership that is preventing bipartisan progress on issues from gun safety legislation to immigration reform.”
“If elected, I will work across party lines to make progress on the issues and priorities important to our communities, and I will only vote for a Speaker who will do the same,” the former congressman added.
Ward Room released an exclusive interview with Schneider earlier this week.
A new National Republican Congressional Committee poll shows Dold leading Schneider by 7 points. The survey was conducted Oct. 8-11 by North Star Opinion Research. The sample consists of 400 randomly selected registered voters who were contacted by live interviewers. According to the poll, 36 percent of respondents were interviewed on a cell phone.
