Adam Schilling: Political Career and Congressional Tenure
Adam Schilling is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives who rose to prominence during the 2010 midterm elections. Originally a Democrat, Schilling transitioned toward conservatism, eventually identifying as a Reagan Republican. His entry into politics was heavily influenced by the Tea Party movement and the teachings of radio and television personality Glenn Beck, specifically as a member of the 9–12 Candidates group.
Schilling's decision to run for office was sparked by a specific political catalyst: while preparing to franchise his restaurant, he witnessed then-Presidential candidate Barack Obama tell "Joe the Plumber" that the government needed to "spread the wealth around." This prompted Schilling to announce his candidacy in April 2009.
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The 2010 Election Victory
Entering the race for Illinois' 17th District, Schilling positioned himself as a non-career politician. He made several high-profile vows to distance himself from typical congressional perks, including:
- Refusing to participate in the congressional pension program.
- Maintaining private health insurance rather than using the congressional plan.
- Donating all pay raises.
- Limiting his tenure to a maximum of eight years.
- Refusing to vote for any bill he had not personally read.
Despite early predictions that the district was "safe Democratic," Schilling's momentum grew. He was eventually named to the National Republican Congressional Committee's "Young Guns" program. His opponent, incumbent Phil Hare, questioned Schilling's residency because he lived 0.99 miles outside the district boundaries. Schilling's camp countered that their family restaurant operated within the district and that gerrymandering—the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries for political gain—had shifted the lines away from their home.
Schilling won the general election with 53% of the vote compared to Hare's 43%, notably carrying the heavily Democratic Rock Island County by nine points.
Congressional Tenure and Legislative Actions
During his time in office, Schilling focused on fiscal restraint and government reform. One of his first significant acts was joining 25 other freshman Republicans in voting against the extension of the USA PATRIOT Act, citing inadequate time for floor debate.
His tenure was marked by a commitment to reducing national debt, which led to some controversial decisions. For example, he voted against a $230 million federal grant for an Amtrak line from Chicago to Iowa City. Although he had supported the project during his campaign, he argued that the national deficit required prioritizing "needs" over "wants." Additionally, he introduced legislation to prevent members of Congress from receiving pensions before reaching the Social Security retirement age.
Schilling's time in Washington was not without peril. In October 2011, the FBI and U.S. Capitol Police investigated a death threat issued by a California resident, which led Schilling to take security precautions.
Subsequent Election Bids
Schilling's political journey continued through several more election cycles, though with less success than his initial run:
The 2012 Election
Running for re-election, Schilling faced Democrat Cheri Bustos. The race was complicated by redistricting, which removed Republican-leaning areas like Quincy and Decatur and added Democratic portions of Peoria and Rockford. Despite being rated as a "toss-up" by some analysts, Schilling was defeated by Bustos (53.3% to 46.7%).
The 2014 Election
Schilling challenged Bustos again in 2014, criticizing her record on middle-class issues and budget plans. While known as a skilled grassroots campaigner, he struggled with fundraising compared to the incumbent. He was defeated again, with Bustos winning 55.5% to 44.5%.
The 2020 Primary
In 2020, Schilling attempted a political comeback by running for Iowa's 2nd District following the retirement of Dave Loebsack. However, he lost the Republican primary to State Senator Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
Key Facts
- Political Identity: Reagan Republican and former 9–12 Candidate.
- 2010 Win: Defeated Phil Hare with 53% of the vote in Illinois' 17th District.
- Fiscal Stance: Vowed to forgo congressional pensions and donate pay raises.
- Key Opponent: Lost two consecutive elections (2012, 2014) to Cheri Bustos.
- Committee Work: Served on the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, and Small Business.
| Year | District | Opponent | Result | Vote Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | IL-17 | Phil Hare | Won | 53% vs 43% |
| 2012 | IL-17 | Cheri Bustos | Lost | 46.7% vs 53.3% |
| 2014 | IL-17 | Cheri Bustos | Lost | 44.5% vs 55.5% |
Political Positions
Schilling's platform was rooted in Tea Party principles and fiscal conservatism:
- Social Issues: Pro-life and supportive of local control over education.
- Healthcare: Supported repealing the Democratic healthcare reform, citing unconstitutionality, and advocated for insurance purchase across state lines.
- Economy: Favored lowering corporate tax rates and implementing term limits for Congress.
- National Security: Supported a troop surge in Afghanistan and argued that Guantanamo Bay detainees should be tried in military courts rather than civilian courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Adam Schilling first run for Congress?
Schilling was inspired to run after hearing then-Presidential candidate Barack Obama suggest that the government should "spread the wealth around" during a conversation with "Joe the Plumber."
What were Schilling's views on congressional benefits?
He vowed not to take a congressional pension, to keep his own private health insurance, and to donate any pay raises he received during his tenure.
How did redistricting affect his 2012 campaign?
The Democratic-controlled legislature redrew the 17th District to be more Democratic-leaning, removing Republican strongholds like Quincy and Decatur, which made Schilling more vulnerable to defeat.
Which committees did Adam Schilling serve on?
He served on the Committee on Agriculture, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Small Business.
Did Adam Schilling ever run for office outside of Illinois?
Yes, in 2020, he ran as a Republican for Iowa's 2nd District but lost in the primary election to Mariannette Miller-Meeks.