Endorsement: Hultgren over Anderson in 14th Congressional District

When Rep. Randy Hultgren of Winfield rode the GOP wave to Congress in 2010, his goals were high and rightward, including cutting taxes and repealing the new health care law. The reality of politics stymied his progress on both, but he began an intense focus on two areas important to Illinois: transportation and innovation. While learning to be flexible and adopting a collaborative posture, he has trumpeted the need for infrastructure repairs and other pressing transportation issues for the 14th Congressional District, and his transportation subcommittee seats have been a good fit for him and Illinois. Hultgren sees opportunity in the nation’s lack of a comprehensive energy policy, insisting that Illinois can lead out on technology, scientific research and manufacturing innovations. Challenger Dennis Anderson, a retired public health researcher from Gurnee, gives priority to financial relief for residents, but his plans lack detail. We endorse Hultgren. Already in his first term, he has demonstrated leadership and cooperation, and his commitment to the job is strong; remarkably, he has missed only five of 1,550 floor votes. The new district makes an arc from Gurnee down to Kendall County.