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Rookies aim for Schock’s seat

Two political novices with wide-ranging experience are battling for the chance to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock in the 18th Congressional District.

Carl Ray of Washington says he has a passion for health-care reform.

Deirdre “DK” Hirner of Springfield, who lives outside the district, says she shares values of those within the district.

Both seek the Democratic party nomination in the Feb. 2 primary election.

The winner will advance to the November general election and face Schock, R-Peoria, who first was elected two years ago to replace Ray LaHood, and Green Party candidate Sheldon Schafer of Peoria. Those two are unopposed in the primary.

This year’s campaign has been relatively quiet, with less than a handful of public debates and meet-and-greet sessions. That contrasts sharply with 2008, when three prominent Peoria Republicans sought to replace the retiring LaHood, who ultimately became the U.S. secretary of transportation.

Carl Ray said his decision to run initially was prompted by Schock’s vote against the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, which extends health coverage to uninsured children. He also was unhappy with Schock’s votes against the stimulus package and other legislation.

Ray has an autistic son and a wife who became ill in 2000. Those situations left the family financially strapped from medical payments.

“There’s no greater advocate for health-care reform than myself,” Ray said, adding he favors cost controls and universal access to quality health care.

Hirner said she decided to run for Congress – her first run for elected office – to give back to the community after serving a public-service role much of her life.

Though she lives in the neighboring 19th Congressional District, Hirner said her personal connections, particularly with family members, are greater in the 18th District. By law, anyone in the state can run for any of the U.S. House districts.

“This race is not about an address. It’s about sharing the same values of the people in the 18th District and wanting to be the advocate for them in Congress,” Hirner said.

Ray touted living and growing up in central Illinois (LaSalle-Peru), which he said makes him more familiar with the issues and history in the district. He quit his job at Caterpillar Inc., where he appraised current production capabilities for U.S. operations and planned for future capital needs, to devote all his time to his congressional campaign.

Government’s first responsibility is to its citizens, Ray said, and he advocates a “jobs bill because the first federal stimulus didn’t roll out spending fast enough.” Ray said he is a proponent of more federal government spending on education to “provide an equal footing for all students.”

Hirner said she wants to bring jobs to Illinois and assure people have access to affordable health care.

“People who do not have health insurance need to be able to have the opportunity to become insured,” she said.

Hirner touted her experience in the regulatory arena as a state energy planner for Missouri and most recently as former executive director of the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group. There, she represented the interests of member companies on environmental regulations administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois Pollution Control Board.

In the legislative arena, she was appointed to oversight and policy roles within Missouri’s top elected state offices.

“I have real-world experience in governing. There’s a real difference between governing and putting out ideas as sound bites,” she said, adding that experience is what sets her apart from her opponent.

But Ray, who was in the Air Force from 1987 to 1991, said he offers a “unique perspective” based on his military experience, his stint as a government intern and his business experience as a software engineer for a small business and as manager of strategic planning and technology for Union Pacific Railroad.

“I’ve worked with people from all walks of life as a leader and a follower, civilian and military life, and during times of war and peace. I’ve proven myself in a lot of different venues.”

No Democrat has represented the 18th District since 1917.

Schock, 28, was seated as the youngest member of Congress in January 2009. He previously represented the 92nd District in the Illinois House of Representatives and served as board president for Peoria School District 150.

Schafer, vice president and director of Lakeview Museum, was unsuccessful in his bid for the seat in 2008.

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