Endorsement: Foster for Congress, 11th District
Congressman Bill Foster has made a name for himself as the only scientist elected to serve on Capitol Hill. And that expertise serves him well, not just in matters of policy relating to such issues as climate change but also in terms of temperament and style.
Foster, seeking his third term representing the 11th Congressional District, is thoughtful and quietly effective and we see no reason to oust him this year.
His opponent, DuPage County Board member Tonia Khouri, a 43-year-old small-business owner of Aurora, has done her homework since the GOP primary and makes a stronger case for her candidacy than she did in the spring.
She said during our endorsement interview that she supports Donald Trump as the Republican presidential candidate, but she also is quick to emphasize she doesn't agree with all his ideas, specifically about immigration. Though she supports a wall, she wants to focus on earned legal status for immigrants. Foster, meanwhile, clearly disagrees with Trump, supporting comprehensive immigration reform without a wall.
He also has shown a willingness to work across the aisle, touting his efforts with GOP Rep. Randy Hultgren to ensure funding for Fermilab in Batavia, for example.
Foster, 61 of Aurora, earns our endorsement for the district, which includes parts of Cook DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties.