Endorsement: Schneider for Congress from District 10

The 10th Congressional District, it seems to us, is a quintessential microcosm of suburban views and values, reflecting those sentiments perhaps more keenly than any other collection of precincts in the region.

It is a philosophy that combines common sense, fiscal conservatism and a warm concern for social justice. For years, the North suburban district has prized independence and moderate bipartisan politics. Today, it leans a little more left than it did in the days when it sent John Porter to Washington, but it's still a district that can't be taken for granted by either party.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider of Deerfield not only exemplifies that spirit, but, in observing the Democrat during his years in office, we're impressed by how much he has grown in the job.

At a time when Washington grows increasingly more partisan and vitriolic, Schneider manages still to find occasional common ground and to work across the aisle.

He introduced 45 bills in the current Congress, and 25 have garnered bipartisan support. He co-sponsored 299. and 169 of those have been bipartisan. Thirteen of his bills passed the House, including three that became part of the CARES Act, which is now law.

His opponent in this race, Valerie Ramirez Mukherjee of Northbrook, makes a good case for her candidacy, and we think Republicans would be wise to build around her for the future.

In many ways, her story is an American success story, and she understands the role she could play as an aspirational model for both women and minorities.

But in this race, Schneider's performance and his expertise are hard to put aside. He has earned our hearty endorsement.