U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) won re-election in Illinois' 6th Congressional District Tuesday over Leslie Coolidge after getting 30,864 more votes than the his challenger, with all precincts reporting.
Roskam said he plans to be a part of turning the economy around, and his work on the House Ways and Means Committee will be a platform to do so.
"Our tax code is a disaster, and most Americans recognize that it’s a disaster," he said Tuesday at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton. "And most Americans are very open to trying to reform the code."
He said the House will begin to put together a "very substantive" tax reform effort focused on making the U.S. tax code the most competitive in the world.
"If we do that we’ll be in a much better footing to compete with 95 percent of the world’s consumers outside of the U.S. and it’s an incredibly ripe opportunity."
Coolidge, a retired CPA from Barrington who focused on economic issues, Social Security and Medicare protection and fairer tax policies, said Tuesday she is thankful to her supporters for giving "so much energy" to her campaign.
"An awful lot of people put in an awful lot of hours and I really appreciate that," she said.
Roskam, the fourth-ranking Republican leader in the House as chief deputy whip, said his top priorities if re-elected would be to get the economy back on track and people back to work. As Congressman, he has served on the House Committee on Ways and Means, the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives, according to its website.
He was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune as "one of the more influential Republicans in Illinois and on Capitol Hill," with a focus on fundamental economic issues and the stature he developed as a member of the Ways and Means Committee and chief deputy whip.
The Daily Herald wrote Roskam has established himself as a "leader with influence," and is a player in "how Washington fixes economic challenges facing the country."
Roskam last week responded to the October Jobs Report that showed the unemployment rate in the United States rose to 7.9 percent.
"Today's jobs report underscores how fragile our so-called economic recovery has been under President Obama, and when you examine the policies of the past four years there is little wonder as to why," he said in a statement. "Our economy cannot grow under a wave of crushing new regulations, including a massive healthcare law that fails to lower costs and could cause millions of Americans to lose their current coverage.
"Americans cannot afford the next four years to look like the last four," he said.
Roskam, 51, graduated from the University of Illinois and spent his early career in the office of his mentor, Congressman Henry Hyde. He earned his J.D. from Kent College of Law and ran a nonprofit scholarship program for disadvantaged youths. He served as a state representative for Chicago's western suburbs from 1992-1998 and as a state senator senator from 2000-2006.
The Illinois 6th Congressional District spans as far north as Cary and Lake Zurich south to Downers Grove.
He said in a statement that Republicans Tuesday regained control of the House of Representatives, speaking to the concern voters share for the direction of the country.
"Time and again, I have heard from 6th District residents who fear that we are leaving our children and grandchildren a diminished future, saddled with over $16 trillion in debt, a stagnant economy and increased uncertainty," he said.
“But I am an optimist, and the American people have always overcome the challenges before us. So for the next two years, we will continue to work turn the economy around as quickly as possible, to create jobs for the 23 million Americans currently unemployed, underemployed or who have simply given up looking for work. We will work to live within our means, reform the tax code, prevent the fiscal cliff, and create a better future for the next generation.”
Roskam currently lives in Wheaton with his wife, Elizabeth and four children, Gracey, Frankie, Steve and A.J.
Takes us off your list, Pete! Christina (and family)
I had a discussion with a reporter at the Tribune who said that Roskam's district is the one safe seat for the GOP in the suburbs, The Democrats simply could not redraw the districts to make every suburban seat favorable to the Democrats. If you noticed, there was no TV advertising for this race, and Lisa Coolidge could not get the party or any super PACs to put any money into the campaign. LIke it or not, Roskam is in a very safe seat. But, if you're getting cards from Roskam, his campaign must think you and your family are Republicans. I know enough about campaigns to know that if you consistantly pull a Democrat ballot and/or donate to Democrat candidates and campaign committees, you don't wind up on GOP mailing lists.
Roskam, meanwhile has received backing from banks and insurance companies, promoting their interests and a Republican agenda over the needs of his constituents. Let's see if he really does 'reach across the aisle' and work with all other congresspersons to bring our country back to what it was before the GW Bush Administration. .
Say, didn't Obama celebrate, by authorizing new Predator bombings in Yemen? Why, yes he did. Own it Demorats, your President is a bloodthirsty, football spiking, killer. Oh, and evil Republicans...gotta keep that front and center...
This country promised the freedom to reach for the stars not cradle to grave care paid by others and administered by big government. Buying votes by unscrupulous politicians by giving away needless benefits is a recipe for financial disaster. We are there and it is almost too late.
First, let's correct your comment, at face value: Christina, (you misspelled my name, and there should be a comma after my name) all you have to do is _______( okay,here is the part you need to clarify for us. What exactly did you mean by using 'axe' instead of ask? Don't try to tell us you mis-spelled 'ask'. You made what kind of an assumption, ag? And you did that because you are a ______, right? And I'll bet you are a coward, too. C-h-r-i-s-t-i-n-a
There is a reason why there are waiting lists for procedures and surgeries. Vets in Canada have the most up to date equipment compared to humans where equipment is old and care is "free". Insurance companies are not "bad" but they are companies that manage "risk". When you take away the risk they cease to be able to manage anything. This is what the Democrat backed Obamacare wants, the insurance companies to be gone and a one pay government control system in place. Be happy you have Mr. Roskam and understand that the biggest issue we have is JOBS. People with money to invest create JOBS. Not government. When you take away the incentive to make profits and get a return on your investment you take away JOB CREATION. More jobs means more people paying taxes and having healthcare coverage through private insurance.