Endorsement: Daily Herald recommends Schneider over Bennett in 10th Congressional District

At a time when polarizing partisanship divides Congress, we put a premium on representatives who reach across the aisle to help craft meaningful bipartisan legislation.

Democrat Brad Schneider has done that and earns our endorsement for a third term representing the 10th Congressional District, which includes portions of Lake and Cook counties.

Schneider, 57, of Deerfield, is a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and participates in the Bipartisan Working Group, which meets weekly. The Caucus has focused on important issues such as health care, tax reform and infrastructure.

Schneider was ranked among the most bipartisan sophomore legislators in either party - 41 percent of legislation he co-sponsored in 2017 originated with a member of the Republican Party, according to govtrack.us. He's received bipartisan support on many bills he's introduced.

Schneider, who makes frequent trips to the district to conduct town hall events and listening sessions with residents and businesses, is accessible and responsive to constituents.

He's seeking his second consecutive term in Congress. He won the post in 2012 by defeating Republican Bob Dold, but Dold reclaimed the job in 2014. Schneider won another rematch with Dold two years later.

His Republican opponent is Doug Bennett, a 55-year-old computer consultant from Deerfield making his second run at elected office. Bennett, a fiscal and social conservative who won a three-way primary battle, has demonstrated a good understanding of issues.

However, we consider Schneider a thoughtful legislator who has impressed us with his grasp of complex issues, and whose votes and positions reflect the district's moderate political philosophy. He is endorsed.