Press Releases
Dan Seals Announces Run for Tenth Congressional District Seat
June 20, 2007
Wilmette - Illinois businessman Dan Seals announced today that he will challenge Republican Congressman Mark Kirk to represent Illinois’ Tenth District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Seals, a Democrat, nearly defeated Congressman Kirk in 2006 despite entering the race late and receiving little backing from the national Democratic Party.
Mr. Seals said, “I am running for Congress because I believe that as a country, we have lost our way. On issues both at home and abroad, we have seen poor leadership, gross mismanagement, and downright neglect. That needs to change. I believe that our current representative hasn’t shown the independence or good judgment to get us back on track. I want to help get government working again.”
Seals continued, “Government should be focused on expanding opportunities for more Americans, meeting our responsibilities, and strengthening our communities. One of our most urgent needs is bringing a responsible end to Iraq as quickly as possible. But we must also address long neglected needs such as our broken healthcare system and overdependence on oil. And I believe that to reduce terrorism we must not just fight the terrorists—but also fight the conditions and ideas that produce them.”
When Mr. Seals ran in 2006 it was the first time the former Director at GE Capital had ever run for office. Although an unknown at the beginning of the campaign, Mr. Seals built a strong grassroots organization and raised almost $2 million over 11 months—with little help from the Democratic Congressional Candidate Committee that funds many races. Even so, Mr. Seals received 47 percent of the vote to Congressman’s Kirk’s 53 percent in 2006. This time, Mr. Seals thinks the results will be different.
“The differences between me and Congressman Kirk are clear. He has supported President Bush’s agenda and I do not. Congressional Quarterly reports that he has voted with the President almost 90 percent of the time. Since the last election he has tried to reverse some of those key votes. He even went to the White House, as many papers reported, to tell President Bush that the war was hurting his reelection prospects. I couldn’t disagree more with this kind of leadership.”
The Iraq War was one of the biggest issues of the last campaign and is likely to loom large again in the rematch. Congressman Kirk has voted with the President almost 90% of the time—and Iraq has been no exception. By contrast, Mr. Seals has sought a “responsible end” to the war.
Since surviving the close election of 2006, Congressman Kirk has sought to moderate his image—reversing his positions on raising the minimum wage, implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, and overhauling the Medicare prescription drug plan. In a story leaked to the press in May, Congressman Kirk went to the White House to complain to the president that the current course in the Iraq War was hurting the Congressman’s chances at reelection; and indicated that he might switch his vote in September.
Mr. Seals commented that, “Congressman Kirk is putting politics before policy. On issues as critical as these we must have the courage of our convictions. His votes should be driven by what he feels is right, not what he feels is expedient.”
Another issue that is likely to continue into the 2008 campaign is Israel. Mr. Seals showed surprising strength in the Jewish community—winning towns like Highland Park with almost 70 percent of the vote. Seals states that he is “absolutely committed to the safety and security of Israel; a key partner in our fight against terrorism.”
Mr. Seals, 36 is married to his wife Mia, and has three young daughters. They reside in Wilmette.
Dan Seals has received the endorsements from the following local elected officials:
- State Senator Terry Link
- State Senator Susan Garrett
- State Senator Jeffrey Schoenberg
- State Representative Elaine Nekritz
- State Representative Eddie Washington
- State Representative Julie Hamos
- State Representative Kathy Ryg
To view the announcement video, please visit www.dansealsforcongress.com.
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