Endorsement: Foster for Congress from Dist. 11
This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.
Bill Foster mentions whenever he gets an opportunity that he is the only Ph.D. in Congress.
You might consider that braggadocio, but it truly matters.
The Fermilab scientist who
developed a successful business that sells a preponderance of performance venue lighting systems in the U.S., has the perspective of both a scientist and a businessman/manufacturer.
He believes in core Democratic principles, such as abortion rights and gun control. He advocates for people to give up assault-style rifles.
The business side of him feels the pressures of manufacturers large and small; the scientist in him forces him to look at reliable data and helps him discern what's real and what's not - something that seems to escape his Republican challenger.
Catalina Lauf, who won a crowded Republican primary, has declined to participate in our candidate interview or questionnaire. But in a news story days before we interviewed Foster, Lauf retweeted a long-debunked rumor that schoolchildren who identify as "furries" - that is, people who dress in animal costumes - are being supplied litter boxes by schools. When challenged on it, she doubled down by claiming it's happening right here in Illinois - without offering any proof.
Not much more needs to be said about Lauf, whose conservative views on gun rights and abortion are eclipsed by her naiveté.
Gullibility is not a good look for a member of Congress; rumor-mongering is a dangerous one.
Foster is endorsed.
The 11th District contains portions of Aurora, North Aurora, Naperville, Woodridge, Bolingbrook, Plainfield and Joliet.