18th District Candidates Voice Solutions

When it comes to the issues at hand, Congressional candidates believe they have the answers to help America thrive economically, educationally, and in the war on terror.

Autumn will be heralded with red, white, and blue this year as Election Day approaches and voters begin taking a close look at candidates’ platforms in contested races across the Peoria area. The race for the 18th District Congressional seat soon to be vacated by Republican Congressman Ray LaHood has drawn much voter attention since LaHood announced his retirement and three viable candidates stepped up to the plate.

Meet the Candidates

Green Party candidate Sheldon Schafer’s strong background in economics and education just might win him a golden ticket to Washington, D.C. this fall. Schafer grew up in Columbus, Ohio, before moving to Peoria in the late 1970s where he currently serves as an educator at the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences and as an instructor of Astronomy at Bradley University. Schafer’s 35 years of education experience are coupled with a strong political background as the founding member of the Peoria Area Green Party in 2001 and as a current Coordinating Committee Representative to the Illinois Green Party. Schafer has also served as Chairman of the Peoria County Central Committee of the Illinois Green Party and Chairman of the State Central Committee of the Illinois Green Party in 2008.

Schafer believes his extensive array of community service will also appeal to voters. The Green Party candidate was an active volunteer in the Peace Corps in India from 1970-1972 and has also contributed strongly to the Peoria area, serving on such community boards as the Peoria Academy of Sciences and performing volunteer work for Recreational Trail Advocates, the Haiti Mission Connection, the Peoria Astronomical Society, and the National Peace Corps Association.

With a promise to return the voice of the individual to Washington, Schafer’s platform is grounded upon practical idealism, common sense, and consistent life solutions. “I believe that elections should be based on the issues and looking at the issues in their entirety to find out who is the best match for political office,” says Schafer.

And speaking of the best match for office, current State Representative and Republican Congressional hopeful Aaron Schock believes his government experience has made him just that. Fueled by his passion for the political sphere and a dedication to his district driven deeper than the yard signs fronting the homes and businesses of loyal supporters, Schock believes his strong work ethic, fresh leadership, and innovation will rejuvenate the Republican Party in Congress. “I’m really looking forward to the general election,” Schock told The Community Word earlier this year. “I believe my track record and ability to get things done as a State Representative will really speak for me.”

Schock’s accomplishments are far-reaching, extending back to his years on the District 150 School Board when at just 19 he was elected to the board with 6,407 write-in votes. After receiving a degree in Finance from Bradley University, he was elected school board president at the age of 23. Shortly thereafter, Schock defeated 8-year incumbent Democrat State Representative Ricca Slone in 2004 and won re-election to the House in 2006 with 59 percent of the vote. Fully engaged in representing the 92nd District, the GOP candidate has sponsored and passed numerous bills dealing with such issues as reforming education, providing veteran’s assistance, and combating identity theft.

Colleen Callahan believes winning a congressional race takes more than experience on the House floor in Springfield. The Democratic candidate claims her strong relationships with people in the Peoria community will win her the seat come November. “The bottom line when running for any kind of political office is helping people,” Callahan told The Community Word last spring. Just after graduating from the University of Illinois with a degree in Agricultural Communications, Colleen began a career as Farm Director for WMBD radio in Peoria, beginning a relationship with listeners that would help her establish trust with city residents in years to come. Colleen claims her career background has made her a voice for middle-class values and for those who are underrepresented.

Callahan, 57, would be the first Democrat since 1917 to represent the Peoria-based congressional district and comes from a long line of relatives with strong Democratic ties. Her father, Fran Callahan, served as a Democratic Party Chairman for 15 years in Iroquois County. Callahan claims she has no interest in becoming a professional politician but desires to use the political process to become a servant of the people.

In It to Win It

Sheldon Schafer is not at all intimidated by the size of the race nor is he threatened by the big endorsements his opponents received earlier this year, namely Callahan’s support from House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Schock’s fundraiser with President George W. Bush last July. “I pretty much went into this race knowing things like this were going to happen,” says Schafer.

The third-party candidate draws encouragement from his past experience as a Peace Corps volunteer and the odds he faced serving overseas. “We were a small project in many states in India,” he says. “It was a daunting task, but we were planting the seeds of change. When you look at something so overwhelming against you, you have to consider that the little things you do to make a difference are seeds being sewn in fertile ground.”

Schafer claims that although his status as a Green Party candidate forbids him from raising money for his campaign by accepting donations from corporations and special interest groups, he is able to raise funds by email. “People send me between $50 and $100 dollars at a time,” he says. “We’ve raised enough money to buy bumper stickers and yard signs. By avoiding big fundraisers, I’m not beholden to anybody for the money that I raise.”

Party candidate believes winning is possible simply by taking the initiative to speak with voters throughout Central Illinois about the validity of his issues. “I balance my work schedule with the time I spend campaigning,” says Schafer. “I recently went on a 6-day, 950-mile trip in 11 different counties and 21 towns. I went door to door to all the local businesses in all the town squares and spoke with ordinary people about real issues and concerns. These people are what will make this campaign succeed.”

Schafer is not the only candidate known for his hard work. Leaders in Central Illinois who believe Aaron Schock holds promise for the future have graced him with numerous awards, including Jaycees Good Government Award and Life Services Network Legislator of the Year. Supporters who have studied Schock’s record of success have helped him raise over $1.5 million since he began running last summer. Notorious for giving 110 percent toward running a compelling race, Schock has been a conscientious and aggressive campaigner, knocking on doors and reaching out to voters across party lines to listen to their concerns and act on their behalf.

No less notable, Colleen Callahan’s accomplishments span the length of her career. Recognized for her people skills and gift in public speaking, the Democratic Party candidate has been issued the Outstanding Young Woman of America Award and WEEK TV’s 25 Women in Leadership Award. Callahan’s political viability is a two-edged sword, encompassing both agricultural expertise and a savvy ability to captivate with the spoken word. The candidate wields her skills with an ease and confidence in her ability to win.

Issue by Issue

The manner in which candidates voice their issues is perhaps the biggest factor when it comes to gaining favor with the voters. “I think that ultimately, voters will look at the issues,” Schock said. “I believe the ultimate question voters will have is who will be best able to govern.”

A proponent of economic growth, Schock says placing tighter controls on domestic spending and spending growth will help put some money into the country’s dwindling bank account. During the Republican Primary debates, Schock argued that decreasing the number of earmarks and making the 2002-2003 tax cuts permanent would help cut costs.

Known for his advocacy of education reform, Schock desires to create better learning environments for children in the home and implement fair testing for special needs students. His position on foreign policy requests Americans to be responsible, looking ahead, thinking long term, and taking action that will provide the best security for the country.

Callahan courts a strong emphasis on middle-class values and desires to represent the workers of Peoria, speaking out on behalf of families, retirees, and veterans. She argues that investing in renewable energy and placing increased emphasis on science, research, and technology will better economic conditions.

As the mother of a college graduate who incurred $100,000 in law school loans to become a municipal prosecutor, Callahan favors an enhanced education system that does not saddle students with loans after graduation. In addition to domestic concerns, Callahan claims Washington needs to search for a peaceable solution to end the war overseas and bring Americans home. According to Callahan, the best solution means to “be there for our troops as they are needed.”

America’s economic system is a primary concern for the Green Party. According to Schafer, businesses should exist for the betterment of people. “We’ve tilted the economic playing field toward the largest corporations,” he says. “Special interests support big business and drive out local jobs. What the Green Party offers is a promise of doing what’s right for the people. We need to get away from special interests driving the decision process. It’s ultimately bad for us.”

Aside from economic concerns, Schafer believes his years of teaching experience are a valuable asset for his candidacy. “We need to break away from ‘teaching to the test’ of No Child Left Behind,” he says. “We need to begin listening to the teachers and return local control to the school systems.”

Foreign policy, a focal point for all candidates, is an immediate concern for Schafer. The third party candidate claims the war overseas is unjustified and motivated by corporate interests, increasing the death toll and generating an insecure future for both America and Iraq. Schafer believes engaging Saudi Arabia will help promote positive peace efforts. “Iraq’s neighbors stand to lose the most in this war,” says Schafer. “By engaging our Arab partners, we can avoid any power vacuum in Iraq. The Arabs are the primary stakeholders.” Schafer advocates an immediate withdrawal of American troops as well as America’s assistance with reconstruction overseas.

Against All Odds

Although the odds appear to be against him in November, Schafer remains optimistic. “I realize winning this election is a long shot,” he says, “but if you have ever watched races like the Kentucky Derby or Belmont, long shots come in. That’s what our campaign would like to see happen in this election. If that happens, there will be two big stories nationwide: the election of a president and the first Green elected to Congress in an 80 percent Republican district. So that’s something to work for.”

Schafer’s strategy? Winning over Republican voters. “That’s where the votes are,” he says. “Trading votes with my Democratic opponent won’t necessarily win me the race. We live in a district that is 80 percent Republican. Republicans are very dissatisfied right now, and those who are dissatisfied won’t necessarily vote for a Democrat but they may vote for me.”

All the Right Reasons

Whether favored to win or likely to lose, each candidate claims he or she has good reason to run for Capitol Hill. Schock believes his experience as State Representative and the youngest member of the General Assembly will likely serve him well in Washington. “My opponents have never had experience with House procedure, and they’ve never passed a bill,” Schock told The Community Word following his 72 percent win in the primaries.

Callahan claims her experience as a Farm Director for WMBD radio in Peoria will pull her through. “I’ve communicated, I’ve engaged in public speaking, and I believe that it will serve me well in Washington, D.C.,” she says.

Schafer is relying on his experience as an educator. “I’ve had 35 years of first-hand education experience,” he says. “America’s education system has regressed, and I’d like to see it improve.”

Early voting begins October 13th. Be sure to watch the debates, keep current on the issues, and support your candidate this fall!