Both sides say they have voters on their side in health care issue

If you disagree with how your lawmaker voted on the landmark health care legislation this weekend - whether for or against - chances are you'll have an alternative choice come the November elections.

Challengers to suburban incumbents are providing stark contrasts in this year's general election battle on the legislation headed for President Barack Obama's signature.

Democrats challenging Republicans like U.S. Reps. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale and Don Manzullo of the Rockford area argue their opponents' votes against the measure will haunt them on Nov. 2. But Republicans taking on Democrats like U.S. Reps. Melissa Bean of Barrington and Bill Foster of Batavia say the same.

And so begins the battle to manage the political fallout from health care reform. In high-profile races like the campaign for Congress from the 14th District, for example, it quickly took center stage.

"It is clear that there is an intent here to do this in spite of the wishes of voters," says state Sen. Randy Hultgren of Winfield Township in arguing against Foster's support of the measure.

The race between the freshman Foster and Hultgren is set to be one of the closest watched in the nation. Foster won the Far West suburban district in the wake of Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert's retirement. After facing protests, TV ads and robocalls from both sides of the debate for months, Foster is planning a series of district hearings to explain parts of the legislation to constituents. He believes voters will be happy with new restrictions on insurance companies and expanded coverage.

"There will be real help for people in this," Foster said.

A scientist and small business owner, Foster also contends many of those who denounce the legislation today will come around by November.

Likewise, Bean hopes many of those against it now will come to feel their fears sere "based on misinformation."

But at a rally against the legislation outside Bean's Schaumburg office over the weekend, her 8th District Republican challenger, Joe Walsh of Winnetka, said a "government takeover" of health care has galvanized his supporters.

"People are fired about this," Walsh said during the rally. "There are Republicans and Democrats and independents scared to death about the direction our country is headed."

Bean says voters have been telling her for years to fix the health care system and she points to safeguards for the insured, expansive tax credits, federal deficit reductions, small business benefits and expanded coverage for millions in the legislation.

"Too many Americans have been dropped. They have been driven into bankruptcy. They have no portability. They don't have security," she said.

Also running against Bean is Lindenhurst Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer, who says he would have voted for the legislation but prefers to allow everyone to buy into Medicare.

In another heated contest, Republican businessman Robert Dold of Kenilworth is opposed to the measure while Wilmette candidate Dan Seals would have voted for it. They are vying to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park, who voted against the legislation and is running for Senate.

Dold, like many Republicans, stresses that he ultimately supports other reform proposals by the GOP. He paints the Democratic plan as "bigger, more intrusive government."

Seals, who is in his third run for the North suburban seat, argues like many Democratic challengers that the bill isn't perfect but a good step forward.

"The current state of our health care system is unsustainable," he says.

In the Southwest suburbs, the same debate is playing out between Democratic challenger Scott Harper of Lockport and U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale in the 13th District - both of them arguing over who is really standing with the voters in their district.

"Americans are tired of partisan politics getting in the way of real reform," says Harper in accusing Biggert of siding with insurance lobbyists.

But on the House floor Sunday night, Biggert made clear she felt her constituents opposed the legislation.

"We had so long to get this right," Biggert said, "so many chances to take a step back and listen, really listen, to what the American people were asking of us."

Where they standHere is a look at how your lawmaker voted on health care reform and how challengers say they would have voted:6th DistrictCentral DuPage, northwestern Cook countiesU.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, Wheaton Republican: NoWheaton Democrat Benjamin Lowe: *8th DistrictNorthwest Cook, eastern Lake and northeastern McHenry countiesU.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, Barrington Democrat: YesWinnetka Republican Joe Walsh: NoLindenhurst Green Party Bill Scheurer: Yes9th DistrictNear northern Cook CountyU.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Evanston Democrat: YesSkokie Republican Joel Pollak: NoEvanston Green Party Simon Ribeiro: Yes10th DistrictEastern Lake, north and northwestern Cook countiesKenilworth Republican Robert Dold: NoWilmette Democrat Dan Seals: Yes13th DistrictSouthern DuPage, northern Will countiesU.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, Hinsdale Republican: NoLockport Democrat Scott Harper: Yes14th DistrictFar western DuPage, all of Kane countiesU.S. Rep. Bill Foster, Batavia Democrat: YesState Sen. Randy Hultgren, Winfield Township Republican: NoSouth Elgin Green Party Daniel Kairis: *16th DistrictParts of southeastern McHenry CountyU.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, Rockford area Republican: NoFreeport Mayor George Gaulrapp, Democrat: YesRockford Green Party Terry Campbell: Yes* Candidates didn't return contacts seeking comment.