About the Candidate
Name: Scott R. Gryder
DOB:
Occupation:
Political Experience: Chairman, Kendall County Board
Website: https://www.scottgryder.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Gryder4Congress
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GryderforCongress
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gryderforcongress/
Candidate Statement
I’m Scott Gryder.
I currently serve many wonderful communities as Chairman of Kendall County.
I am running to represent you in Congress because the people of Illinois’ 14th District are being ill-served by current Democrat leadership and their misguided policies.
I’m a proven leader with a record of accomplishment and I’m ready to work for you on day one. In office, I work to forge consensus by keeping an open mind, listening to all views, then acting soundly, with principled judgment.
This steady leadership helped Kendall County lead Illinois in growth while all but 15 of our state’s counties lost population. As your representative in Congress, I will build on this record.
Instead of creating marketing gimmicks for ill-conceived, over-reaching legislation to satisfy liberal fashion and fuel leftist rage, I’ll use the common-sense approach to governing that works for us at home to make sure our District is a place where people want to live, work, and raise their families.
Our top priority must be to protect citizens and keep our communities safe.
While Lauren Underwood and the “squad” de-fund the police, I back the blue by supporting more training and equipment for law enforcement and opposing mandates that prioritize criminal rights over the needs of their victims and their families.
We don’t need “Build Back Better,” we need Better Jobs, Back Home, in the 14th District.
Real growth requires real jobs, and every day I serve in Congress will be a day I fight to bring jobs people can count on to this district.
I led the way on infrastructure projects including the first new bridge over the Fox River in more than 20 years and just the second new span built in Kendall County in 100 years.
I have kept government spending under control and delivered real tax relief to homeowners and working families.There’s so much more to do – I hear you. I get it and I will stand against the misinformation, disrespect and poor representation offered by current “leaders” to defend the future for our loved ones, to secure the ability of our families and friends to live our great American Dream.
I’m Scott Gryder. If you share in my vision for a safe, prosperous 14th District, I ask you to join my campaign and support me with your vote on June 28.
Thank you, and may God bless the United States.
Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
I stepped forward because the country I love, and the people of Illinois 14th District, are being failed by current Democrat leadership in Washington. Joe Biden and his allies in Congress like Nancy Pelosi and Lauren Underwood must be held accountable for the misguided policies used to mask a leftist political agenda.
Communities are under siege by criminals comforted by calls to “Defund the Police.” Cost of living soars as inflation undercuts our hard-earned dollars, budgets, savings, and property values. An energy crisis wreaks havoc on nearly every sector of our economy, especially agriculture and shipping. We need a change direction and end Washington’s unyielding overreach into our daily lives, we need a change in Congress.
I am a proven leader with a record of accomplishment. If elected, I promise every day I serve in Congress will be spent tackling hard jobs on behalf of the citizens who have entrusted me to deliver needed reform.
What does this office do well, and what needs fixing?
The unsung heroes in any congressional office are the staff who do much of the hard work of representation by handling complicated policy issues, helping constituents with casework, and maintaining the office on behalf of it's constituents. Unfortunately, no amount of dedicated staff work can fix a problem with leadership and Illinois 14th District needs new representation.
What is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?
Concerns about the soft economy – especially skyrocketing cost of living and the high toll rampant inflation is taking on household budgets – tops the list of serious worries shared with me.
The most durable way to help people is through steady employment. Undeniably, “fixes” in education, healthcare, taxes, and other policies can be identified, but these are little more than band-aids. Americans have made the greatest leaps in prosperity during times when people shut out of economic opportunity were able to work and climb the economic ladder by making better use of their talents and potential. In working to develop a more secure middle class, I would endeavor to foster individual ability to work and succeed with minimal interference from government.
American workers excel in quality and efficiency, yet our ability to attract investment was hamstrung by an outdated tax code until 2017, when Republican led reforms helped America compete and win, boosting our economy with 400,000 new jobs. While this surge in growth was cut short by Covid-19 and its mandated shutdowns, the pandemic’s exposure of vulnerabilities in America’s manufacturing base has renewed interest and investment in US manufacturing.
Rather than lose momentum again, we need to keep our competitive rate, increase development of needed infrastructure, emphasize R&D in critical technology, and increase prioritization of STEM education and opportunity, especially for those enrolled in community colleges, trade schools, apprenticeships, and certification programs.
What specific steps would you take to ensure your office is accessible and responsive to your constituents?
Involving an active and well-informed citizenry is a must for effective representation. My office doors will be open to any constituent seeking assistance from me or an office staff member, and they will be treated respectfully at all times when doing business with the office. I will regularly engage in policy conversations with residents and other stakeholders to ensure I understand and account for the needs, values, and constituent interests regarding issues before Congress.
