Spotlight on the IL 10th Congressional District

Republican Winner, Bob Dold
The 10th Congressional District of Illinois lies in the northeastern corner of the state and mostly comprises upscale northern suburbs of Chicago. Major cities are Glenview, Arlington Hgts., Northbrook, Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, North Chicago and Waukegan. Republican Mark Kirk has represented the district since 2001. The IL 10th bears the distinction of being one of just six districts to vote Democrat for president in both 2004 and 2008 while also backing a Republican (Kirk) for the House. It was expected that "favorite son" Barack Obama would do well here in 2008 and he did, winning by a healthy 23 points. But George W. Bush lost by a mere five points here in 2004 and Abner Mikva was the only Democrat in the 20th century to hold the congressional seat (1975-80) so the seat could be considered ancestrally Republican. Mark Kirk ran a successful campaign for the Senate, leaving the seat open. Democrat Dan Seals, whom Kirk defeated in 2006 and 2008 gave it another try and was again unsuccessful. Businessman Bob Dold, who ran on the slogan, “Conservative Change Can Begin in Illinois” defeated Seals, 51% to 49%.
Bob Dold

 

  • Third-generation native of the 10th District 
  • BA, Denison University
  • Law Degree, Indiana University (selected to give the commencement address)
  • MBA, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business
  • Served as an investigative counsel for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee and worked for the Vice President in the first Bush administration 
  • Active in local Republican Party activities for more than 20 years
  • Worked on numerous Presidential campaigns since 1992
  • Owner/Operator, Rose Pest Solutions, Northfield, a small business founded in 1860
  • Serves on numerous boards and associations advocating for small business on a broad range of issues at the local, state and federal level 
  • Scoutmaster for Troop 13 Senior Scouts

ISSUES

  • Reduce the national debt and balance the federal budget; more predictable regulations and lower taxes for businesses; eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax and the death tax; keep the capital gains tax rate low, index capital gains taxes to inflation, ensure that the tax code encourages Americans to save; healthcare reform must include tort reform, competition across state lines and greater transparency in medical care costs; job creation as a top priority; common sense plan for energy independence to include increasing the use of nuclear power, utilizing America’s resources including coal, natural gas and oil, investing in renewable energy, encouraging personal responsibility, permitting further exploration and tax incentives for energy efficiency; protect our citizens against terrorist threats here and abroad; strong, well-funded military with clearly defined goals; preserve close relationship with the State of Israel; strong and immediate actions to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons; reform Social Security and Medicare to preserve viability for current and future recipients and also offer personal retirement account options to younger people
"My faith and my belief that America is the greatest country causes me to be a passionate optimist. From my earliest memories, I remember being taught by my parents and my pastor that we should give everything our best effort.  I think this belief is best summarized in a phrase I often say to my friends and to my children…“a job worth doing is a job worth doing well.” I am running for Congress for many reasons, but the primary reason is that I believe in the words of one of our great Presidents:
“Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. - Ronald Reagan”
 I want to make sure that my children and the children of the 10th District have the same opportunity…to stand on the shoulders of my generation. I want to be able to look my daughters and son in the eye and tell them that we helped make America stronger." 
Job Killer
The Spotlight On reports are overviews of actual Republican primary winners or top Republican primary contenders. Spotlights should not be interpreted as recommendations to support specific candidates. Before supporting any candidate, do thorough research to confirm that the candidate shares your views on issues you deem most important.