Schneider for 10th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider is someone who at least feels like a rarity on Capitol Hill these days — a true moderate.

The Democratic lawmaker from Highland Park has long shown a willingness to work across party lines, whether it be on domestic issues like gun violence and education, or foreign policy concerning Russia and the Middle East.

It’s one of the reasons his peers last year picked Schneider to lead the New Democrat Coalition, a 115-member centrist group within the House’s Democratic caucus.

His center-left positions have played well in the historically purple-ish 10th Congressional District that now includes parts of Cook, Lake and McHenry counties. As Schneider noted in a recent interview with our editorial board, he won his first two terms in Congress by 1% and 5% margins, respectively, but hasn’t seen an opponent get within 20% in four elections since.

This year, Schneider faces his first primary challenge in a decade, and it’s coming from the left. Small business owner Morgan Coghill of Mundelein proudly declares himself the progressive candidate in the race, and it shows in his positions on health care (Medicare for All), tax policy (a wealth tax) and foreign affairs.

Coghill and Schneider differ perhaps most significantly on the United States’ relationship with Israel, and the conflict in Gaza. They can’t even agree on a name for that conflict — Schneider calls it a war, Coghill says it’s a “slaughter” and “genocide.” He argues the U.S. should cut off all military aid to Israel, while Schneider — though critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza and West Bank settlements — calls himself a Zionist who will “never in a million years” turn his back on Israel’s security.

While their positions on Israel provide a stark contrast, it was their differences in another area that weighed most heavily on our minds — the role of a Democratic House member during the Trump presidency.

Coghill believes Democrats should act as a true opposition party, using all the levers at their disposal to “gum up the works” of the administration.

Schneider isn’t shy in his criticism of Trump, saying America is experiencing a “five-alarm fire” under his leadership. But he calls for more measured opposition on matters ranging from impeachment to the future of immigration enforcement.

We find Schneider’s case to be more compelling, and more befitting the 10th District’s moderate tradition. While we also have opposed some of the harshest elements of the Trump agenda, Democrats cannot merely be a “party of no,” especially with a strong chance to take control of the House next year.

Schneider has the centrist approach that suits his district’s centrist values, to go with the experience and respect of his peers to get things done in Washington. We endorse him for the Democratic nomination.