Spotlight on the IL 8th Congressional District

Submitted by IP on Thu, 2010-04-15 11:42
Republican Candidate, Joe Walsh
The 8th Congressional District of Illinois takes in suburbs to the north and west of Chicago, including portions of Lake, McHenry and Cook counties. Conservative Republican Phil Crane represented this district from 1969 to 2005. In 2004, he was defeated by wealthy business woman and Democrat Melissa Bean in a very close race. The pair had previously faced off in 2002 with Crane winning a lopsided victory of 15 points. At the time of his defeat, Crane was the longest serving Republican in the U.S. House. In her two subsequent elections, Bean prevailed easily. George W. Bush fared well in this affluent district, winning by double digits in 2000 and 2004, yet McCain lost badly to favorite son Barack Obama in 2008. A similar wide swing occurred in IL 11 and IL 14. Republican candidate Joe Walsh, college instructor and financial adviser for conservative education policy groups, captured the interest of the district’s Tea Party adherents and their enthusiasm propelled him to victory over two primary challengers. If he wins in November, he will owe his achievement in large part to tireless Tea Party patriots. Democrat Bean has traded on a moderate image to appear in touch with her middle of the road constituents. But her votes for a trifecta of liberal boondoggle initiatives-stimulus, Cap & Trade and Obama’s health care takeover-have belied the “moderate” moniker. Walsh has gone on the attack with this statement: “With these votes Melissa Bean has abandoned any pretense of pretending she’s a moderate any longer. In just the past year she’s been a rubber stamp for Nancy Pelosi on the wasteful stimulus package, the misguided cap-and-trade proposal, and now this jobs-killing ObamaCare monstrosity.” Bean has a significant fund raising advantage, but with her yes votes on unpopular legislation and the anti-Democrat political atmosphere, money may not put her over the top.
Joe Walsh
  • Native of Barrington
  • MPP, University of Chicago
  • BA, English, University of Iowa
  • Director, Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (privately funded school voucher program)
  • Heartland Institute
  • Instructor, Hebrew Theological Institute
  • Instructor, Jobs for Youth
  • Instructor, Oakton Community College
  • Proponent for education and school vouchers: Jobs for Youth (inner city Chicago); The Heartland Institute; American Reform Council; Milton & Rose Friedman Foundation; Fabretto Children's Foundation
  • Consultant, United Republican Fund
  • Worked with Ravenswood Advisors (investment banking group focussed on small businesses and entrepreneurs)
  • Previous candidate for U.S. Congress, 1996, and Illinois State Legislature, 1998

ISSUES

  • National Defense - The safety and security of our citizens should be our government’s number one priority.

  • Economy - If we want our economy to grow and produce jobs again, we must rely on a vibrant private sector to pull us out of the recession.
  • Government Spending - Since the end of last year, our Federal Government has gone on a spending spree unlike anything seen in human history. It must be stopped.
  • Health Care - A full 80% of Americans have said in polls that they are satisfied with their current health coverage.
  • 2nd Amendment - I am a strong supporter of our constitutionally provided right to bear arms.
  • Illegal Immigration - It is the responsibility of our government to foster, manage and maintain a secure - and fair - immigration process.
  • Family Issues - I am strongly Pro-Life and believe in the sanctity of all human life.
  • Education - I firmly believe in school choice and believe that every child should have the choice of attending any school for which he/she qualifies academically.
  • Local Infrastructure - The extension of Route 53 is a quality of life issue for residents of Lake and McHenry counties who must deal with unnecessary traffic congestion and long commute times.

I make the following six-point pledge to the voters of the Illinois 8th District. As your congressman

  1. I will not serve more than 3 terms in the House (6 years), if so privileged.
  2. I will not receive any health plans or retirement benefits that only congressmen get and that arenʼt available to all Americans.
  3. I will not vote for any legislation which increases the size of government or isnʼt supported by the Constitution.
  4. I will never add an earmark to any bill.
  5. I will always speak my mind and tell my constituents the truth.
  6. I will always be accessible to my constituents and hold town halls on a regular basis, in good times or bad.
"I'm a proud Reagan Republican who will stand up for the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and lower taxes. These are the principles that will spur our economy and create jobs. Iʼm pro-life and will protect our second amendment rights.”
Melissa Bean, Voters Deserve Better
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.