Congressman Brad Schneider Fends Off Lake Forest Businessman Jim Carris In 10th District

WAUKEGAN, IL — Rep. Brad Schneider has been declared the winner in Illinois’ 10th Congressional District by the Associated Press, according to unofficial early results, securing his sixth non-consecutive term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Schneider, a Highland Park Democrat, faced first-time Republican challenger Jim Carris, a Lake Forest real estate exec, in a race that underscored the district's Democratic leanings and Schneider’s strong bipartisan support after both candidates’ tried to portray themselves as centrist, independent-minded leaders ready to reach across the aisle.

Schneider, who emphasized his experience and achievements, highlighted key legislative accomplishments, including his role in the passage of the Sustainable Skies Act to promote sustainable aviation fuels, the Securing Our Schools Act for school safety enhancements, and the DEFEND Act, aimed at strengthening U.S. defense alliances in the Middle East. He also pointed to his leadership on affordable healthcare, public safety, and climate action.

Carris, a commercial real estate executive and attorney, focused his campaign on government reform, economic independence and public safety. He has highlighted a personal experience as a survivor of a hostage-taking from a hijacking of TWA Flight 840 when he was six years old.

Running as a “non-career politician,” Carris pledged to bring “independence, compassion, and common sense” to Washington, advocating for reduced government size, lower taxes and increased domestic energy production.

"I'm also concerned that the American way of life is in danger, seeing the rise of socialism from the far left and deterioration of our freedoms," Carris said in a recent forum.

Schneider pointed out that he was both the first member of the Illinois congressional delegation to endorse President Joe Biden four years ago and the second after Rep. Mike Quigley to call for Biden to abandon his reelection bid.

"I make hard decisions," Schneider said. "I'm willing to stick my neck out, and I'm willing to do what the right thing to do to represent the people of the 10th."

Schneider currently serves as vice chair of the centrist New Democrat Coalition and is campaigning to become the coalition's chair. The group includes nearly half of House Democrats and advocates for bipartisan and pro-business policies.

The Republican nominee noted that he receives more criticism from the far-right wing of his own party than he does from Democrats.

The 10th District, stretching along the North Shore from Lake County into parts of McHenry County, has remained a Democratic stronghold since Schneider’s first win over Kenilworth Republican Bob Dold in 2016.

Carris’s endorsements include former Republican Rep. Dold, former U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, and U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, while Schneider’s endorsements include major labor unions, reproductive rights and gun control groups, and pro-Israel PACs, along with the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald.

No Republican has managed to garner more than 40 percent of the vote in the 10th District since Schneider defeated Kenilworth Republican Bob Dold since the incumbent came out on top in the third of three straight contests in 2016.

Read more: Rep. Brad Schneider, Businessman Jim Carris Tout Centrist Credentials In 10th District