Brad Schneider

Brad Schneider
Born	Bradley Scott Schneider 20 8, 1961
Birthplace	Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman, management consultant
Title	Chair of the New Democrat Coalition
Known for	U.S. Representative for Illinois's 10th congressional district
Education	Northwestern University (BS, MBA)
Children	2
Website	[schneider.house.gov Official site]

Bradley Scott Schneider (born August 20, 1961) is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Illinois's 10th congressional district, a seat he has held since 2017 and previously held from 2013 to 2015. The district encompasses many of Chicago's northern suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area, with Waukegan—an industrial city on Lake Michigan—as its most populous community. Before entering Congress, Schneider built a career as a management consultant and industrial engineer based in Deerfield, Illinois. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected in 2012 by narrowly defeating Republican incumbent Bob Dold, lost his reelection bid to Dold in 2014, and then recaptured the seat in 2016 in their third consecutive matchup. Since his return to Congress, Schneider has been reelected four times by large margins. In January 2025, he assumed the chairmanship of the New Democrat Coalition, a caucus of centrist and moderate House Democrats. Described by the Daily Herald as "a true moderate," Schneider has positioned himself as a pragmatic legislator focused on bipartisan governance and economic policy.

Early Life

Bradley Scott Schneider was born on August 20, 1961, in Denver, Colorado. He grew up in the Denver area before eventually relocating to the Chicago suburbs, where he would build his professional career and raise a family. His nephew is Aaron Regunberg, a political figure in Rhode Island.

Details about Schneider's childhood and upbringing in Colorado remain limited in publicly available records. What is known is that he developed an interest in business and engineering that would guide his educational and professional trajectory. He ultimately settled in Deerfield, Illinois, a village in the northern suburbs of Chicago located within the boundaries of the 10th Congressional District he would later represent.

Education

Schneider attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He received a Bachelor of Science degree and subsequently completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Northwestern's graduate business program. The dual degrees in science and business provided the foundation for his subsequent career in management consulting and industrial engineering.

Career

Business Career

Before entering politics, Schneider spent decades working in the private sector. He established himself as a management consultant and industrial engineer, operating out of Deerfield, Illinois. His professional experience in the business world became a central element of his political identity; upon entering the congressional race, he emphasized his background in the private sector and his understanding of economic issues facing businesses and working families in the 10th District.

Schneider's business career gave him direct experience with issues related to manufacturing, consulting, and small business operations in the suburban Chicago economy. He frequently cited this background during his initial campaigns as evidence of his ability to bring a practical, results-oriented approach to governance.

2012 Congressional Campaign

Schneider entered the race for Illinois's 10th congressional district in 2012 as a first-time political candidate. The 10th District, covering affluent and diverse suburban communities north of Chicago along the Lake Michigan shore, had been represented by Republican Bob Dold since 2010. The district was considered a competitive swing seat, and Schneider's entry attracted attention from national Democratic organizations.

In the Democratic primary, Schneider faced several challengers, including Ilya Sheyman, who had garnered an endorsement from former Vermont Governor Howard Dean. Despite being a political newcomer, Schneider built a coalition of support from local officials and community leaders across the district. He won the Democratic primary and advanced to the general election against Dold.

The general election between Schneider and Dold was closely contested. The Chicago Tribune offered an endorsement during the campaign cycle, and the race attracted significant outside spending from groups aligned with both parties. Schneider ultimately defeated Dold in a narrow victory, riding the wave of the 2012 presidential election cycle to unseat the freshman Republican incumbent.

First Term in Congress (2013–2015)

Schneider took office on January 3, 2013, succeeding Bob Dold as the representative for the 10th District. As a freshman member of Congress, he took positions on a range of domestic and foreign policy issues.

On domestic policy, Schneider engaged with debates over the Affordable Care Act during a period of intense congressional scrutiny of its implementation. In January 2014, the House requested weekly reports on the law's rollout, and Schneider was among the members navigating the political pressures surrounding the legislation.

On environmental policy, Schneider was among the Jewish lawmakers who expressed support for the Obama administration's plan to regulate power plant emissions, a significant component of the administration's climate change agenda.

On foreign policy, Schneider demonstrated an active interest in Middle Eastern affairs. During his first term, he traveled to Israel and witnessed the effects of the Syrian civil war from the Israeli border, an experience he described publicly.

2014 Election Loss

Schneider's first term proved to be short-lived. In the 2014 midterm elections, he faced a rematch against Bob Dold, who sought to reclaim the seat. The race was again competitive and drew substantial outside spending, including involvement from groups associated with Republican strategist Karl Rove.

During the campaign, Schneider faced questions about his personal finances and tax arrangements, which became a point of contention. Crain's Chicago Business reported that "tax talk still swirls around Schneider despite disclosure of sorts," indicating that the issue persisted as a campaign liability. Schneider experienced what the Deerfield Patch described as a "role reversal," going from challenger to incumbent defending his record.

In the end, Dold defeated Schneider, recapturing the 10th District seat amid a strong national Republican wave in the 2014 midterms. Schneider left office on January 3, 2015.

2016 Election and Return to Congress

Following his 2014 defeat, Schneider mounted another campaign against Dold in 2016—the third consecutive general election contest between the two men. The 2016 cycle proved more favorable to Schneider, as the presidential election year brought higher Democratic turnout in the suburban Chicago district. Schneider defeated Dold and returned to Congress on January 3, 2017.

Subsequent Terms (2017–Present)

Since reclaiming the seat in 2016, Schneider has been reelected four times, each by large margins, reflecting the district's shift toward the Democratic Party during this period. He has established himself as a centrist voice within the House Democratic caucus, aligning with the New Democrat Coalition, a group of moderate and pro-business Democrats.

In January 2025, Schneider became the Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, succeeding Annie Kuster of New Hampshire in the leadership role. In this capacity, he has hosted events focused on economic policy. In February 2026, Schneider hosted House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries in Winnetka, Illinois, for what was billed as a "Real State of the Economy" roundtable and press conference, examining cost-of-living issues affecting suburban families.

Schneider has also been active in securing federal funding for his district. In February 2026, he visited the Gander Mountain Forest Preserve after helping to secure a $1 million federal grant for the restoration of rare habitats at the preserve.

On foreign policy, Schneider has maintained a strong focus on the U.S.–Israel relationship. His positions on the Israel–Hamas war have drawn attention and political debate, particularly from his 2026 primary challenger Morgan Coghill. The Daily Herald reported that the two candidates clashed over the characterization of Israel's military action in Gaza, with Schneider and Coghill holding differing views on whether the conflict constituted war or genocide.

For the 2026 State of the Union address, Schneider announced that his guest would be Rick Woldenberg, CEO of Learning Resources, a company based in the district, signaling his continued emphasis on business and economic issues.

2026 Primary Campaign

As of February 2026, Schneider is seeking reelection in the March 17, 2026, Democratic primary for Illinois's 10th Congressional District. He faces a primary challenge from Morgan Coghill, described by the Chicago Tribune as "a political neophyte." The Chicago Tribune endorsed Schneider for the primary, noting that he has represented the north suburban district since 2017. The Daily Herald also endorsed him, characterizing him as "someone who at least feels like a rarity on Capitol Hill these days — a true moderate." The Chicago Sun-Times published a candidate questionnaire for the race as part of its primary election coverage.

Personal Life

Schneider resides in Deerfield, Illinois, within the 10th Congressional District he represents. He has two children. His nephew, Aaron Regunberg, is a political figure who has been active in Rhode Island politics.

Schneider is Jewish, and his identity has informed his engagement with issues related to Israel and the broader Jewish community. During his first term, he traveled to Israel and publicly commented on regional security issues, including the Syrian civil war's proximity to the Israeli border.

Recognition

Schneider has received endorsements from major Illinois newspapers during multiple election cycles. The Chicago Tribune endorsed his candidacy for the 2012 general election and again endorsed him for the 2026 Democratic primary, noting his record of representing the north suburban district. The Daily Herald endorsed him for the 2026 primary, praising his moderate approach to governance.

His elevation to Chair of the New Democrat Coalition in January 2025 represented a significant recognition by his colleagues of his standing within the moderate wing of the House Democratic caucus. The coalition is one of the largest ideological caucuses among House Democrats, and the chairmanship is a leadership position that carries influence in shaping party policy positions on economic and fiscal issues.

Legacy

Schneider's career in Congress is notable for its unusual trajectory. His repeated contests against Bob Dold—losing the seat in 2014 only to reclaim it in 2016—constitute one of the more distinctive electoral rivalries in modern Illinois politics. The three consecutive general election matchups between the two candidates reflected the competitive nature of the 10th District during that era.

Since his return to Congress in 2017, Schneider has consolidated his position in the district, winning reelection by increasingly comfortable margins. His tenure has coincided with a broader shift in suburban politics across the United States, as districts like the 10th moved toward the Democratic Party during the late 2010s and early 2020s.

As Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, Schneider occupies a position at the center of ongoing debates within the Democratic Party about economic policy, centrism, and electoral strategy. His emphasis on bipartisan governance and pragmatic policy solutions reflects the coalition's broader mission of promoting pro-growth, fiscally responsible Democratic policies. The Daily Herald's characterization of him as "a true moderate" underscores his positioning within the party.

His work in securing federal funding for local priorities, such as the $1 million grant for habitat restoration at Gander Mountain Forest Preserve, illustrates his approach to constituent service and his focus on delivering tangible benefits to the 10th District.