Chad Koppie: Illinois' 8th Congressional District Candidate

GILBERTS, IL — Ahead of Illinois' June 28 primary elections, Patch distributed questionnaires to candidates running in contested races in the Democratic and Republican parties, including the eight candidates seeking a two-year term in the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois' 8th Congressional District.

On the Democratic side, incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi is facing a challenge from Junaid Ahmed. For the Republicans, Chris Dargis, Karen Kolodziej, Chad Koppie, Peter Kopsaftis and Phillip Wood are seeking the nod. Mohammed Faheem is running as an independent.

The congressional district covers parts of Cook County, DuPage County and Kane County. All or parts of Addison, Barrington Hills, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Glendale Heights, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Lombard, Palatine, Roselle, Schaumburg, South Elgin, Streamwood, Villa Park and Wood Dale are included.

Name

Chad Koppie

Campaign website

https://www.koppieforcongress....

What county do you live in?

Kane

City or town of residence

Gilberts

Office sought

U.S. House, 8th District

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

Attended Purdue and studied aviation

Occupation

Farmer (40 years), retired jet pilot (20 years)

Family

Widowed with six children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

A son, Tom Koppie, is a Kane Co. board member.

Age

84

Previous public office, appointive or elective

I've been a member of the Kane Co. Regional Board of Schools since 2007. Now, I'm the board president. I was a Rutland Township trustee.

Why are you seeking this office?

My most important goal is trying to ban abortion. I also want to cut spending, from all federal agencies and cabinet departments. Since the federal government would need less money, the same bill would cut tax rates.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

high tax rates I want to cut tax rates, for all federal income taxpayers.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I'm the only Republican, in this race, who has held an elected office. I'm the only Republican, in the race, who wants to ban abortion. I'm the only candidate, in the race, who says that ICE should try to arrest and deport all illegal aliens.

If you are challenging an incumbent, how would you perform differently if elected?

The incumbent keeps voting for higher spending, which increases the federal government deficit and debt. I'll only vote for a federal budget that would cut spending. The incumbent voted to give money to Planned Parenthood. I'd never do that, since I want to ban abortion.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Since I'm a life member of the NRA, I'll remind voters that we need fewer gun control laws.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I was elected to my current government job, three times, because the voters know that I keep doing a good job.

What was your first paying job, and what did you learn from it?

I enjoyed being a jet pilot because I was able to help transport thousands of people thousands of miles. I learned how planes work, and I learned about people who live in many different countries.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

How to fly planes. That helped me keep thousands of people alive.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I think I'm the most conservative candidate, in my race, and that, if I'm in Congress, I'll always obey the Constitution.