Brad Schneider

Brad Schneider Bio

Bradley Scott Schneider (born August 20, 1961) is an American businessman and politician who serves as the U.S. representative for Illinois’s 10th congressional district, a position he has held since 2017 after an earlier term from 2013 to 2015. The district covers many of Chicago’s northern suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area, with Waukegan as its largest city. A member of the Democratic Party, Schneider is known for his work on healthcare, environmental policy, gun safety, and U.S.-Israel relations.

Before entering Congress, Schneider built a career as an industrial engineer and management consultant in the Chicago suburbs. He earned degrees from Northwestern University and later founded his own consulting firm, giving him a private-sector background that shaped his approach to policy. He is married to Julie Dann, and the couple lives in Deerfield, Illinois.

Early Life and Background

Bradley Scott Schneider was born on August 20, 1961, in Denver, Colorado. He grew up in the Denver area and attended Cherry Creek High School, where he completed his secondary education. His upbringing in Colorado provided the foundation for his later academic path toward engineering and business.

After high school, Schneider enrolled at Northwestern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering in 1983. Following his undergraduate studies, he spent time working on a kibbutz in Israel, an experience that helped shape his longstanding engagement with pro-Israel organizations and causes.

Schneider later returned to the Chicago area and completed a Master of Business Administration at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management in 1988. His combined training in engineering and business set the stage for a career in management consulting and corporate leadership.

Path to US Politics

Following his MBA, Schneider joined the consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers, where he applied his industrial engineering background to client work. He later served as the managing principal of the life insurance firm Davis Dann Adler Schneider, LLC, from 1997 until 2003. In 2003, he became the director of the strategic services group at Blackman Kallick, and in 2008, he founded his own consulting company, Cadence Consulting Group.

By the early 2010s, Schneider had become an established figure in the Chicago suburban business community. His professional network and civic involvement, including long-standing ties to organizations such as the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago and AIPAC, positioned him for a run for federal office.

Schneider launched his first campaign for Congress in 2012, winning the Democratic primary with 47 percent of the vote against a field of three opponents. He went on to narrowly defeat Republican incumbent Bob Dold in the general election, beginning his career in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Brad Schneider Career

Early Career (2013–2015)

Schneider took office in January 2013 representing Illinois’s 10th congressional district, which had been rated as a competitive race by independent political analysts. During his first term, he served on committees focused on science and small business, drawing on his background as an engineer and consultant.

In 2014, Schneider sought reelection and faced Bob Dold once again. Despite raising comparable campaign funds and earning endorsements from groups such as the League of Conservation Voters and Planned Parenthood, Schneider lost the rematch to Dold and left Congress in early 2015.

Breakthrough (2016–2018)

In March 2016, Schneider won the Democratic nomination for the 10th district seat, defeating Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering. He then faced Dold in their third consecutive matchup, this time winning decisively by roughly 14,000 votes, 53 percent to 47 percent. The race marked a turning point in the district’s political alignment.

Returning to Congress in 2017, Schneider was subsequently reelected by large margins as the district shifted from a competitive swing seat to one considered solidly Democratic. His growing margin of victory reflected both changing local demographics and his increasing visibility on national issues.

During this period, Schneider became a vocal advocate for environmental standards, supporting EPA carbon emission rules for power plants and backing incentives for renewable energy. He also co-sponsored legislation to regulate homemade firearms in an effort to curb gun violence, and he consistently supported the Affordable Care Act while opposing Medicare for All.

Democratic Era (2019–Present)

Throughout his tenure, Schneider has positioned himself as a moderate Democrat focused on pragmatic policymaking. According to a FiveThirtyEight analysis, he voted with President Joe Biden’s stated position 100 percent of the time during the 117th Congress. He has described himself as “pragmatic and a moderate” while also aligning with progressive priorities on certain issues.

Schneider has been a strong supporter of reproductive rights, endorsing and being endorsed by Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America. He co-sponsored legislation to reverse aspects of the Supreme Court’s Burwell v. Hobby Lobby ruling and to require employers to offer a full range of contraceptive options.

On foreign policy, Schneider has championed broad sanctions on Iran and covert operations aimed at curbing its nuclear program. He has been described as “staunchly pro-Israel” and helped introduce a 2019 House resolution condemning the BDS movement, which passed 398 to 17. In February 2023, he signed a letter urging President Biden to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

In July 2024, Schneider publicly called for President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election, joining a growing chorus of Democratic lawmakers. He has continued to serve his constituents in Illinois’s 10th district, focusing on issues ranging from tax reform to nonprofit oversight.

Notable Events and Milestones

One of the defining moments of Schneider’s career was his 2012 victory over Bob Dold, a win that showcased his ability to compete in a closely watched swing district. His 2016 rematch victory, won by a comfortable margin, marked the transition of the 10th district into reliably Democratic territory and solidified his standing in the House.

Brad Schneider Career Wins

Bradley Scott Schneider has won five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, beginning with his initial victory in 2012 and continuing through his most recent reelection. His electoral history reflects both closely fought battles and increasingly decisive wins as the district’s political landscape shifted.

U.S. House Elections Highlights

Schneider’s first congressional win came in 2012, when he defeated Republican incumbent Bob Dold by 3,326 votes, capturing 51 percent of the vote to Dold’s 49 percent. After losing the 2014 rematch, he returned to Congress in 2016 by defeating Dold for a third time, this time by 13,916 votes, 53 percent to 47 percent.

Since 2016, Schneider has been reelected multiple times by wide margins as the district moved from swing status to being considered solidly Democratic. His 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 campaigns each reflected his strengthened grip on the seat.

Other Wins and Achievements

Beyond electoral victories, Schneider has earned endorsements from leading advocacy organizations, including the League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood, and NARAL Pro-Choice America. He has also been recognized for his consistent voting record, including a 100 percent alignment with President Biden’s positions during the 117th Congress.

Brad Schneider Family

Family Background and Personal Life

Bradley Scott Schneider was born in Denver, Colorado, and raised in the Denver area before moving to the Midwest for college. His time on a kibbutz in Israel after college helped shape his lifelong involvement with Jewish community organizations, including the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago and AIPAC.

Schneider’s nephew, Aaron Regunberg, is a Democratic politician in Rhode Island, reflecting the family’s engagement in public service and political life across different states.

Personal Life

Schneider married Julie Dann in 1989, and the couple resides in Deerfield, Illinois. They have two sons. In January 2021, Schneider tested positive for COVID-19 after sheltering in place during the U.S. Capitol attack and later recovered. He has been recognized by Roll Call as one of the wealthier members of Congress, ranking 35th in 2013 and 34th in 2014.