The Tribune offers endorsements today in contested primaries for the U.S. House, starting with a rarity — an open seat in the 10th Congressional District. This is the only congressional district in Illinois that doesn't have an incumbent on the ballot.
Voters in the north suburbs have been treated to excellent representation for years from such representatives as Democrat Abner Mikva and Republicans John Porter and Mark Kirk. This has long been a competitive district where voters expect strong, independent leadership.
Chances are, they will continue to get it. Kirk is running for the U.S. Senate and there are spirited Democratic and Republican primaries to succeed him.
We greatly admire state Rep. Beth Coulson, the Glenview Republican who has the endorsements of Porter and former Gov. Jim Edgar. We give her credit for her solid work in Springfield on health care. We think, though, that Republicans have an even better candidate: Kenilworth businessman Robert Dold, who is making his first run for office.
Dold served as an investigative counsel for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, has an MBA from Northwestern and runs a small business. Congress needs more people who genuinely understand what it takes to put people to work — and how government puts up roadblocks to employment. Dold makes a convincing argument that he does.
He's not a political neophyte: He has been active in local and national Republican politics for years. But he is making his first run for office and he would bring a fresh, common-sense perspective to government. Dold is endorsed.
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Dold with a "D", not an "E"
Watch Robert Announce His Campaign for Congress
