Dan Seals (Illinois politician)
Encyclopedia
Daniel Joseph Seals is an American business consultant and a Democratic
politician from Illinois
. Seals was the Democratic nominee in three campaigns to become U.S. Representative
for . The first two times he was defeated by the incumbent Mark Kirk
. In his third run, he was defeated by Republican candidate, Robert Dold
, on November 2, 2010 for the seat Kirk was vacating.
, a former Chicago Bears
football player, and a social worker. Both of his parents are of mixed-raced ancestry. His parents divorced and Seals was primarily raised by his mother in Hyde Park
. He graduated from Kenwood Academy High School in 1989. He holds a bachelors degree in Journalism from Boston University
, a masters degree in International Economics and Japanese Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and an MBA from the University of Chicago
. He and his wife Mia live in Wilmette
with their three daughters.
After receiving his bachelors degree Seals taught English in Japan from 1993 to 1995. From 1997 to 1998 he was a Presidential Management Intern (PMI)
, working as an aide to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and as an aide to Senator Joe Lieberman
. He worked in marketing at Sprint from 2001 to 2003 and was Director of Marketing with General Electric Commercial Finance from 2003 until he took a leave of absence to run for Congress in 2005.
In 2009, Seals did consulting work for Civic Consulting Alliance and The Point, an online service that helps charities and public campaigns with fundraising. He also served as a lecturer at Northwestern University
in Evanston, Illinois
.
In 2011, Seals was appointed by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn
to be Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Following his primary win Seals faced the sitting Congressman, Mark Kirk. He focused on popular dissatisfaction with the Iraq war and numerous Republican scandals. He also claimed Kirk was a partisan Republican who voted with the Republican majority 80% of the time. Kirk focused on local issues and argued that he broke from the Republican Party on several issues such as gun control, stem cell research and abortion. Seals came closer than previous Democratic candidates, but ultimately lost to Kirk 53% to 47%.
After his 2006 loss to Kirk, Seals listed his occupation as "business consultant". He also taught a course in public policy at Northwestern University
school for continuing education in the spring of 2008.
official. Seals was endorsed by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Footlik raised the residency issue again during an Chicago Tribune
editorial board interview, to which Seals replied: "If I was a millionaire I could certainly just pick up and buy a new home, [but] I'm not a millionaire, and if you want more millionaires in Congress, I'm not your man." The United States Constitution
requires that candidates for Congress be residents of the state from which they are elected, but does not require district residency. Seals' home lies 0.3 miles outside of the 10th district, in the 9th which is represented by Jan Schakowsky
. Footlik contended that Seals didn't deserve another chance because he lost to Kirk by six points in a good Democratic year, while Seals argued he had superior name recognition. On February 5, 2008 Seals won the primary with 81% of the vote.
Kirk and Seals both raised considerable sums of money.
In the general election, Seals was unable to improve on his 2006 performance, losing the election to Kirk 53% to 47%.
Following the 2008 general election, it was reported that Seals was being considered by Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn
to replace Barack Obama
in the United States Senate
if Governor Rod Blagojevich
were to be removed from office.
. Seals narrowly defeated state legislator Julie Hamos
in the Democratic race, and was the Democratic nominee to run against Republican Bob Dold
in the 2010 General Election.
Seals was endorsed for the General Election campaign by the Joint Action Committee (JACPAC) which supports a strong US-Israel relationship; pro-choice
organizations NARAL and Planned Parenthood
; environmental organizations Sierra Club
and League of Conservation Voters
; and labor unions including Illinois Federation of Teachers, Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, SEIU
, UAW Region 4
, Illinois AFL-CIO
and Communications Workers of District 4. In prior election cycles, Seals' previous opponent Rep. Mark Kirk
had been endorsed by Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters and Planned Parenthood.
In October, Seals was endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times
and suburban newspapers the Daily Herald, Lake County News-Sun, and Pioneer Press
Seals lost to Bob Dold (R-Kenilworth) 51%-49%.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician from Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. Seals was the Democratic nominee in three campaigns to become U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for . The first two times he was defeated by the incumbent Mark Kirk
Mark Kirk
Mark Steven Kirk is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Kirk was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 10th congressional district....
. In his third run, he was defeated by Republican candidate, Robert Dold
Bob Dold
Robert James "Bob" Dold, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. Prior to his election, Dold ran his family-owned business, Rose Pest Solutions...
, on November 2, 2010 for the seat Kirk was vacating.
Early life, education and career
Daniel Joseph Seals was born on June 19, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois to George SealsGeorge Seals
George Edward Seals is a former American football offensive and defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, and the Kansas City Chiefs.-Biography:...
, a former Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
football player, and a social worker. Both of his parents are of mixed-raced ancestry. His parents divorced and Seals was primarily raised by his mother in Hyde Park
Hyde Park, Chicago
Hyde Park, located on the South Side of the City of Chicago, in Cook County, Illinois, United States and seven miles south of the Chicago Loop, is a Chicago neighborhood and one of 77 Chicago community areas. It is home to the University of Chicago, the Hyde Park Art Center, the Museum of Science...
. He graduated from Kenwood Academy High School in 1989. He holds a bachelors degree in Journalism from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, a masters degree in International Economics and Japanese Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and an MBA from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. He and his wife Mia live in Wilmette
Wilmette, Illinois
Wilmette is a village in New Trier Township, Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located north of Chicago's downtown district and has a population of 27,651. Wilmette is considered a bedroom community in the North Shore district...
with their three daughters.
After receiving his bachelors degree Seals taught English in Japan from 1993 to 1995. From 1997 to 1998 he was a Presidential Management Intern (PMI)
Presidential Management Fellows Program
The Presidential Management Fellows program is a prestigious two year paid government fellowship sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management for recent graduate students who seek a two year fellowship in a United States government agency. Selection begins with the nomination of the student...
, working as an aide to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and as an aide to Senator Joe Lieberman
Joe Lieberman
Joseph Isadore "Joe" Lieberman is the senior United States Senator from Connecticut. A former member of the Democratic Party, he was the party's nominee for Vice President in the 2000 election. Currently an independent, he remains closely affiliated with the party.Born in Stamford, Connecticut,...
. He worked in marketing at Sprint from 2001 to 2003 and was Director of Marketing with General Electric Commercial Finance from 2003 until he took a leave of absence to run for Congress in 2005.
In 2009, Seals did consulting work for Civic Consulting Alliance and The Point, an online service that helps charities and public campaigns with fundraising. He also served as a lecturer at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
in Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
.
In 2011, Seals was appointed by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn
Pat Quinn (politician)
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Quinn III is the 41st and current Governor of Illinois. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Previously elected three times to statewide office, Quinn was the sitting lieutenant governor and became governor on January 29, 2009, when the previous governor, Rod Blagojevich,...
to be Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
2006 U.S. Representative campaign
Seals ran against Winnetka attorney and former Park Board Commissioner Zane Smith for the Democratic nomination in the 10th Congressional district. Smith highlighted Seals' lack of experience in prior elected office and his location outside the 10th district boundary. Ultimately the better financed Seals prevailed, winning 71% to 29%.Following his primary win Seals faced the sitting Congressman, Mark Kirk. He focused on popular dissatisfaction with the Iraq war and numerous Republican scandals. He also claimed Kirk was a partisan Republican who voted with the Republican majority 80% of the time. Kirk focused on local issues and argued that he broke from the Republican Party on several issues such as gun control, stem cell research and abortion. Seals came closer than previous Democratic candidates, but ultimately lost to Kirk 53% to 47%.
After his 2006 loss to Kirk, Seals listed his occupation as "business consultant". He also taught a course in public policy at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
school for continuing education in the spring of 2008.
2008 U.S. Representative campaign
Seals announced in June 2007 that he would be running for Congress in the 10th district again. In the primary election he faced Jay Footlik, a former Clinton administrationPresidency of Bill Clinton
The United States Presidency of Bill Clinton, also known as the Clinton Administration, was the executive branch of the federal government of the United States from January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001. Clinton was the first Democratic president since Franklin D. Roosevelt to win a second full term...
official. Seals was endorsed by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Footlik raised the residency issue again during an Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
editorial board interview, to which Seals replied: "If I was a millionaire I could certainly just pick up and buy a new home, [but] I'm not a millionaire, and if you want more millionaires in Congress, I'm not your man." The United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
requires that candidates for Congress be residents of the state from which they are elected, but does not require district residency. Seals' home lies 0.3 miles outside of the 10th district, in the 9th which is represented by Jan Schakowsky
Jan Schakowsky
Janice D. "Jan" Schakowsky is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party.The district includes many of Chicago's northern suburbs, including Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Park Ridge, Des Plaines and Rosemont...
. Footlik contended that Seals didn't deserve another chance because he lost to Kirk by six points in a good Democratic year, while Seals argued he had superior name recognition. On February 5, 2008 Seals won the primary with 81% of the vote.
Kirk and Seals both raised considerable sums of money.
In the general election, Seals was unable to improve on his 2006 performance, losing the election to Kirk 53% to 47%.
Following the 2008 general election, it was reported that Seals was being considered by Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn
Pat Quinn (politician)
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Quinn III is the 41st and current Governor of Illinois. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Previously elected three times to statewide office, Quinn was the sitting lieutenant governor and became governor on January 29, 2009, when the previous governor, Rod Blagojevich,...
to replace Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
if Governor Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich
Rod R. Blagojevich is an American politician who served as the 40th Governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009. A Democrat, Blagojevich was a State Representative before being elected to the United States House of Representatives representing parts of Chicago...
were to be removed from office.
2010 U.S. Representative campaign
In July 2009, Seals ran again for the Democratic nomination to become Congressman for following Kirk's announcement that he would retire to run for U. S. SenateUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. Seals narrowly defeated state legislator Julie Hamos
Julie Hamos
Julie Hamos was a past Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 18th District since 1999. Her district included the Chicago neighborhood of Rogers Park and the suburbs of Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka and Glencoe.In July 2009, Hamos declared her...
in the Democratic race, and was the Democratic nominee to run against Republican Bob Dold
Bob Dold
Robert James "Bob" Dold, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. Prior to his election, Dold ran his family-owned business, Rose Pest Solutions...
in the 2010 General Election.
Seals was endorsed for the General Election campaign by the Joint Action Committee (JACPAC) which supports a strong US-Israel relationship; pro-choice
Pro-choice
Support for the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-choice movement, a sociopolitical movement supporting the ethical view that a woman should have the legal right to elective abortion, meaning the right to terminate her pregnancy....
organizations NARAL and Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
; environmental organizations Sierra Club
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
and League of Conservation Voters
League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters is a political advocacy organization founded in 1969 by American environmentalist David Brower in the early years of the environmental movement. LCV's mission is to "advocate for sound environmental policies and to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt...
; and labor unions including Illinois Federation of Teachers, Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, SEIU
Service Employees International Union
Service Employees International Union is a labor union representing about 1.8 million workers in over 100 occupations in the United States , and Canada...
, UAW Region 4
United Auto Workers
The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Auto Workers , is a labor union which represents workers in the United States and Puerto Rico, and formerly in Canada. Founded as part of the Congress of Industrial...
, Illinois AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
and Communications Workers of District 4. In prior election cycles, Seals' previous opponent Rep. Mark Kirk
Mark Kirk
Mark Steven Kirk is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Kirk was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 10th congressional district....
had been endorsed by Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters and Planned Parenthood.
In October, Seals was endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
and suburban newspapers the Daily Herald, Lake County News-Sun, and Pioneer Press
Pioneer Press
The Pioneer Press publishes 50 local newspapers in the metropolitan Chicago area. It is a division of the Sun-Times Media Group. Pioneer Press' headquarters is in Glenview...
Seals lost to Bob Dold (R-Kenilworth) 51%-49%.
External links
- Dan Seals for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Tenth Congressional District Democrats