Kendall County Times

Republican candidate for the Illinois 14th Congressional District Scott Gryder is setting up a contrast between his plans for office, and the policies of incumbent Rep. Lauren Underwood.

"As chairman of the Kendall County Board, I have made it a priority to keep taxes in check while providing top-notch services," Gryder said. "This common-sense approach has kept law enforcement funded and made Kendall County one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family in the country. Unfortunately, Congress has a different view. Currently in Washington, they see common-sense leadership as the problem. I see it as the solution. Higher inflation, higher gas prices, and higher energy bills have hit Illinois families hard. Unfortunately, Lauren Underwood continually pushed the Green New Deal and costly tax hikes at the expense of hardworking Americans. I believe we deserve better. We need a Congressperson who is looking to cut taxes, not hike them; to lower energy bills, not raise them. I will stop the 'consumer last' mentality and bring the lower taxes, better government approach I have taken in Kendall County to Congress."

Gryder has been elected three times to the Kendall County Board, and he is the current chairman of the Kendall County Board. In the private sector, he is the current president of commercial services and senior counsel at Near North Title Group, DuPage Policy Journal reported.

"My top priorities include addressing the skyrocketing cost of living and the high toll rampant inflation is taking on household budgets, keeping our communities safe and cutting spending & lowering taxes!" Gryder said in a tweet.

Gryder has received endorsements from former Congressman Hon. Randy Hultgren, former Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, state Reps. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) and David Welter (R-Morris), the Daily Herald, and the Chicago Tribune.

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Emmer celebrated Gryder's primary win in the 14th Congressional District this past summer: 

"Congratulations to Scott Gryder on his primary win," Emmer said. "Come November, Illinois voters will remember that Lauren Underwood is directly responsible for Democrats' radical agenda that is making everyday life more expensive for Illinois families."

Gryder says he supports fiscal responsibility, the Second Amendment, and he sees China as an enemy. Gryder says that he is ready to fight  what he calls the radical Biden/Underwood agenda.

Underwood has accepted campaign contributions from Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus as well as the Medicare for All PAC. 

The 14th Congressional District includes DeKalb, Oswego and Joliet.

Underwood was a supporter of former DuPage County Board member Amy Chavez. Chavez abruptly resigned from her position on the board this past August after allegations of sexual assault and battery were reported in her residence. According to the DuPage Policy Journal, Naperville police were called twice for sexual assault allegations at the Chavez residence, on March 10, and again on March 14. Then on May 29, police were once again dispatched to the residence for a battery, and two days later, police were called back due to a telephone threat. Chavez resigned in August, and she said it was partially due to timing: "Many factors played into this hard decision: Mainly, an out-of-state opportunity for my husband’s career. Timing was also a critical component of the decision as we wanted our twins to move prior to the first day of school. This is an exciting opportunity and is the right decision for me and my family."