Brad Schneider

Schneider defeated Democratic opponents Ilya Sheyman, John Tree, and Vivek Bavda in the primary election on March 20, 2012 with 47% of the vote.[8] He faced incumbent Republican Robert Dold in the November 6, 2012 general election. The non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report declared the 10th district election "Leans Democrat" while Roll Call categorized the race as a toss up.[9][10] The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee placed significant focus on the race as part of their Red to Blue Program.[11] Schneider defeated Dold in the general election, 51%-49%; a difference of 3,326 votes.[12][13]

Schneider ran for re-election in a rematch against Republican Robert Dold. As of July 2014, Schneider's campaign had $1.9 million cash on hand, and Dold's campaign had $1.65 million cash on hand.[14] Schneider was a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Frontline program, a committee program designed to protect the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents.[15]

Schneider was endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters[16] and Planned Parenthood.[17]

Schneider was defeated by Dold in the general election.

2016 campaign logo

In March 2016, Schneider won the Democratic nomination for the 10th district seat, defeating Nancy Rotering, the mayor of Highland Park in the primary election. Schneider faced Republican incumbent Robert Dold in the November 2016 general election.[18] He defeated Dold 52%-48%, with a difference of 13,916 votes.[19]

Schneider ran for re-election, looking for his first consecutive re-election. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary election. Dold did not run again, so business consultant Douglas Bennett narrowly won the Republican nomination against doctor Sapan Shah and attorney Jeremy Wynes.[20] Parting ways with the district's reputation as a swing district, that year it was considered to be "Solid Democrat."[21] Schneider won re-election.

Schneider campaigned as a moderate Democrat,[22][23][24][25] and often described himself as a progressive.[26][27][28] He has described himself as "pragmatic and a moderate."[7]

He supports EPA carbon emission standards for power plants.[29] In his 2012 primary race, Schneider supported emissions trading, incentives for businesses to develop alternative energy systems, and tax credits for individuals to implement sustainable and renewable energy improvements in their homes.[30]

Schneider has stated he is "100 percent pro-choice", and he was endorsed by Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America. Schneider co-sponsored a bill to reverse the impact of the Supreme Court Hobby Lobby decision and require employers to offer "a full range" of contraceptive options.[31]

Schneider told the Chicago Tribune that he favors a 3:1 ratio of spending cuts to tax increases in order to reduce the debt. He stated that he is open to cuts in discretionary, defense, and entitlement spending.[32] Schneider supported the repeal of the Bush tax cuts and “long-term, comprehensive tax reform” that would include higher taxes on those with high incomes.[33]

Schneider co-sponsored a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.[34]

He is in favor of "broad and deep" sanctions on Iran and covert operations to dissuade Iran from its nuclear weapons program, as well as its sales to terrorist organizations.[32] Schneider is a long time member of AIPAC.[35][36]

Schneider supports same-sex marriage.[37]

Schneider voted against the Amash–Conyers Amendment, a bill "that would have stopped the surveillance programs of the NSA".[34]

Schneider supports the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama, and opposes repeal.[38] He voted for a bill to increase enrollment transparency.[39][40]

• Committee on Ways and Means
  • Subcommittee on Health
  • Subcommittee on Social Security
• Committee on Small Business
  • Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access

Source:[41]

• New Democrat Coalition[42]
• Blue Dog Coalition[43]