Brad Schneider

Early life, education, and career

Schneider was born on August 20, 1961, in Denver, Colorado, where he graduated from Cherry Creek High School. In 1983, after receiving a B.A. in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University, Schneider worked on a kibbutz in Israel. He later returned to the Chicago area to receive an M.B.A. from Northwestern's Kellogg Graduate School of Management in 1988 and work for the consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Schneider worked as the managing principal of the life insurance firm Davis Dann Adler Schneider, LLC from 1997 until 2003 when he became the director of the strategic services group at Blackman Kallick. In 2008, he started his own consulting company, Cadence Consulting Group.

Tenure

Schneider campaigned as a moderate Democrat, and often described himself as a progressive. In a Chicago Magazine interview, Schneider explained: "I’m pragmatic and a moderate. I’m willing to work with any Republican, with anyone who has a good idea. I’m not going to compromise my principles to do so, but I think we can find that common ground."

Environment

He supports EPA carbon emission standards for power plants. In his 2012 primary race, Schneider supported emissions trading, incentives for businesses to develop alternative energy systems, and tax credits for individuals to implement sustainable and renewable energy improvements in their homes.

Abortion

Schneider has stated he is "100 percent pro-choice" and was endorsed by Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America. Schneider co-sponsored a bill to reverse the impact of the Supreme Court Hobby Lobby decision and require employers to offer "a full range" of contraceptive options.

Tax policy

Schneider told the Chicago Tribune that he favors a 3:1 ratio of spending cuts to tax increases in order to reduce the debt. He stated that he is open to cuts in discretionary, defense and entitlement spending. Schneider supported the repeal of the Bush tax cuts and “long-term, comprehensive tax reform” that would include higher taxes on those with high incomes.

Minimum wage

Schneider co-sponsored a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.

Foreign policy

He is in favor of "broad and deep" sanctions on Iran and covert operations to dissuade Iran from its nuclear weapons program, as well as its sales to terrorist organizations. Schneider is a long time member of AIPAC.

LGBT issues

Schneider supports same-sex marriage.

Privacy

Schneider voted against the Amash–Conyers Amendment, a bill "that would have stopped the surveillance programs of the NSA."

Healthcare

Schneider supports the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama and opposes repeal. He voted for a bill to increase enrollment transparency.

Committees

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2012

Schneider defeated Democratic opponents Ilya Sheyman, John Tree, and Vivek Bavda in the primary election on March 20, 2012 with 47% of the vote. He faced incumbent Republican Robert Dold in the November 6, 2012 general election. The non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report declared the 10th district election "Leans Democrat" while Roll Call categorized the race as a toss up. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee placed significant focus on the race as part of their Red to Blue Program. Schneider defeated Dold in the general election, 51%-49%; a difference of 3,326 votes.

2014

Schneider ran for re-election in a rematch against Republican Robert Dold. As of July 2014, Schneider's campaign had $1.9 million cash on hand and Dold's campaign had $1.65 million cash on hand. Schneider was a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Frontline program, a committee program designed to protect the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents.

Schneider was endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters and Planned Parenthood.

Schneider was defeated by Dold in the general election.

2016

In March 2016, Schneider won the Democratic nomination for the 10th District House seat, defeating Nancy Rotering, the mayor of Highland Park in the primary election. Schneider faced Republican incumbent Robert Dold in the November 2016 general election. He defeated Dold 52%-48% with a difference of 13,916 votes.

Personal life

Schneider and his wife, Julie, live in Deerfield. They have two sons, Daniel and Adam.

In 2013, Roll Call reported that Schneider was the 35th most wealthy member of Congress. He ranked as the 34th wealthiest member of Congress in 2014. In 2012, the Chicago Tribune noted that Schneider billed himself as a small businessman, though “he has taken on few paying ventures in recent years.”

In 2014, Schneider changed his filing status in a manner to prevent having to disclose his wife's income.

While in Congress, he led a JUF mission of 25 people to Israel in May 2013. Schneider has also been involved with AIPAC and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.