Dan Seals

Daniel "Dan" Seals is the Democratic candidate in the 2008 congressional elections for the 10th Congressional District (map) of Illinois. On February 5, 2008, he won the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.).

Positions, record and controversies
 Positions on:   Environment 

"LCV Action Fund Endorses Dan Seals in Race for U.S. House in Illinois’ 10th District" League of Coservation Voters. April 13, 2010.

This article details the endorsement of Dan Seals by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund. In regard to the LCV’s support, Seals noted, “Working with the LCV, we can create jobs and revitalize our economy while protecting our environment and ending our dependence on foreign oil." Their reasons for endorsement include Seals’ commitment to increasing the number green jobs, decreasing dependence on foreign oil, and curbing harmful pollution.

 Energy 

[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,360581,00.html "Did Dan Seals Buy Votes with Cheap Gas?" ]Fox News. May 30, 2008.

In order to make a point about skyrocketing gas prices, Dan Seals sold gas for less than $2 a gallon before the 2008 election, spurring opponents to accuse him of buying votes. Seals explained his rationale for the campaign in a Fox News interview on May 30, 2008. He stated, “When you look at our energy policy, basically, we're borrowing from China to buy oil from Saudi Arabia. And I think that has got to change.”

"Seals' energy policy: Been there, done that" Daily Herald. August 23, 2008

This opinion piece is an indictment of Seals’ energy policy. The author regards Seals’ energy policy as outdated and reminscent of energy policies from the 1970's. The author also points out Seals' lack of focus on nuclear energy.

Climate 

"Dan Seals running again for 10th House seat" Sun Times. July 21, 2009.

This letter from Dan Seals outlines his views on climate change, environmental policy, the economy, and foreign policy. He supports a policy strategy to combat global warming from an international level. Seals commits to focus on the issues at hand instead of partisanship.

Technology 

Innovation 

Health   

"Dan Seals has no stand on health care"Daily Herald. April 3, 2010

This letter to the editor relates the author's experience with Dan Seal's office. When the author inquired about Seals' position about the exclusion of a single payer option in the health care bill, she was told that Seals had not taken a position as a result of not having read the entire bill.

STEM education   

Science policy tracking by Arifeen Rahman, SEA National Security Intern

Bio
The youngest of three boys, Dan was raised in Hyde Park, and grew up attending public schools and JCC camp. His parents divorced when he was young, so he was raised primarily by his mother, a social worker of almost thirty years. Dan credits her with teaching him the value of working hard to make a better life for others.

Dan began his career teaching English to high school students overseas in Japan. Dan returned to the United States to continue his education by pursuing a master’s degree in international economics and Japan studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

Upon completing his master’s degree, SAIS nominated Dan for—and he won—the prestigious Presidential Management Internship. Dan served as an Aide to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and as an Economics Fellow in the U.S. Senate. Dan tracked exports of U.S. technology to foreign markets at the Department of Commerce, and worked on tax, budget, economic development and international trade issues in the Senate.

After completing his fellowship, Dan returned home to pursue an M.B.A. at the University of Chicago. Dan began work as a manager at Sprint and then as Director of Marketing at GE Capital. Currently, Dan is a business consultant and adjunct professor at Northwestern University.

Dan and his wife Mia have been married for 10 years and live in Wilmette with their three daughters.

2006 elections
Seals was the Democratic nominee for Illinois's 10th congressional district in the 2006 congressional elections against incumbent Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). In March 2006, Seals won the Democratic Primary with 70% of the vote. After a hard-fought campaign Seals managed to secure 47% of the vote, but ultimately was not elected.

2008 elections
Seals is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) in the 2008 congressional elections.

Committees
Seals will be assigned committees if and when he is elected to Congress.

Campaign contact information
Email: info@dansealsforcongress.com Phone: 847-251-1260 Fax: 847-251-3031 Mailing Address: Seals for Congress P.O. Box 584 Wilmette, IL 60091 Campaign Office: Lake Cook Plaza Deerfield, IL

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Illinois's 10th Congressional District
 * Official Dan Seals Democrat for Congress website

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Ellen's Illinois Tenth Congressional District Blog
 * Philosophe Forum
 * Team America's 10th District Blog

External articles

 * Greg Giroux, "Familiar Name or New Face? Parties Mull Choices in Possible Rematch Races," CQ Politics, June 8, 2007.