Rob Cruz: Illinois 6th Congressional District Candidate

OAK LAWN, IL — Ahead of Illinois' June 28 primary elections, Patch distributed questionnaires to candidates running in contested races in the Democratic and Republican parties, including the nine candidates running for a two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Illinois’ newly remapped 6th Congressional District.

For the Republicans, Gary Grasso, Scott Kasper, Rob Cruz, Catherine A. O’Shea and Keith Pekau are seeking the nod for their party’s nomination in the November midterm elections.

On the Democratic side, two currently seated congress people – Marie Newman and Sean Casten are battling to retain their seat in the House. Charles Hughes, a one-time precinct captain for former U.S. Rep. Bill Lipinski, is the third Democrat on the ticket.

The remapped IL-06 includes all or sections of the suburban Cook Count communities of Alsip, Chicago Ridge, Palos Heights, Worth, Crestwood, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Tinley Park, Orland Park, Orland Hills, Palos Hills, Palos Heights, Hickory Hills, Justice, and extending into the Chicago neighborhoods of Clearing, Beverly and Mount Greenwood; and in DuPage, Downers Grove, Oak Brook, Oak Brook Terrace, Lisle, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Elmhurst Darien, Hinsdale and Willow Springs.

Name

Robert "Rob" Cruz

Campaign website

https://robcruzforcongress.com

What county do you live in?

Cook

City or town of residence

Oak Lawn

Office sought

Illinois Congressional District 6

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

Attended college (Millikin University and University of Dubuque) had to leave early to help out at
home.

Occupation

Small business owner in the real estate industry

Family

Wife is Sandra and Daughter is Lola.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

43

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Oak Lawn school board district 229

Why are you seeking this office?

To put the safety and education of our children first, while working to bring back the middle class
jobs that have left this area

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is
___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Crime, I intend to advocate and encourage inter-governmental agencies to work together like
they did in Richmond VA in the late 90's (see Project Exile)

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this
post?

I am a Hispanic American conservative who can bridge the gap between voters from all parties in IL district 6

If you are challenging an incumbent, how would you perform differently if elected?

I would bring a perspective from the blue-collar point of view to show people one of our own can
do this job for the district

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Education overhaul, Trade deals, Immigration (DACA)

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this
job?

I have faced adversity many times, Cancer survivor, small business owner during recession. I
worked on the Vote NO campaign, won a school board election in Oak lawn. I believe people
don't trust career politicians anymore and are looking for fresh perspectives to lead into this
decade

What was your first paying job, and what did you learn from it?

Ecolab, worked in a factory cleaning up old caustic drums. I learned that hard work is the only
thing that matters in your career. Are you a hard worker or not?

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

A winner never quits, and a quitter never wins.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

"I believe that the people of IL 6th deserve to have safe neighborhoods, good schools where
kids can learn life skills (not political agendas). Our voters deserve good paying careers and
jobs that have been shipped away by a political class that has forgotten them in their pursuit of
wealth. I will put our people's best interest ahead of any agenda, including my own. This is how
we will come together to create the strongest house district in the nation.