Schneider Holds 75% Lead Over 93-Year-Old Challenger in Illinois 10th

Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider leads Republican challenger Carl Lambrecht by 2,175 votes in Illinois' 10th Congressional District. As of 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Schneider has secured 4,765 ballots, or 75% of the reported total. Lambrecht trails with 1,590 votes, or 25%. The race covers portions of Cook, Lake, and McHenry counties.

Schneider has served in the House since 2017. Before that, he held the seat from 2013 to 2015. He is 65 and resides in Highland Park. His opponent is also from Highland Park. Lambrecht is 93 years old and works as an optical engineer. He previously lost a bid for the Illinois House in 2024. In 2011, he ran for the Highland Park-Deerfield High School District 113 board but did not win. He later won a seat on the Lake County Regional School Board in 2013.

Lambrecht campaigned with a limited public profile. A Daily Herald report from Oct. 28 noted that he did not maintain a campaign website or social media accounts. He did not promote public appearances or respond to media inquiries. The paper also stated that Lambrecht had not disclosed fundraising or spending to the Federal Election Commission. He did not file a standard statement of candidacy. When Patch asked both candidates to complete questionnaires, Schneider submitted detailed answers. Lambrecht did not respond.

Schneider focused his questionnaire on affordability. He cited rising costs for groceries, housing, utilities, childcare, and healthcare. "Affordability is the most pressing issue in the 10th District because it reaches into every part of daily life," Schneider said. He proposed expanding affordable housing and lowering healthcare costs. He also wanted investment in infrastructure, American manufacturing, and workforce development.

On policy, Schneider criticized President Donald Trump's tariff policies. He argued that Congress should reclaim its authority over international trade. He called for comprehensive immigration reform that combines border security with legal system improvements. He supported a pathway to citizenship for certain longtime immigrants. "I do not support the Trump Administration’s extreme, aggressive deportation campaign," Schneider said. He also advocated for greater federal oversight of artificial intelligence to prevent data centers from raising local electricity costs.

Less information is available on Lambrecht's current stances. During his 2024 state house run, he raised concerns about fentanyl trafficking, criminal cartels, and sex trafficking. The winner will serve a two-year term in the U.S. House beginning in January 2027. Election results are unofficial until certified by election authorities.