Representative Robert Dold, R-Ill., arrived on Capitol Hill as part of the freshmen class of 94 Republicans along with 150 family, friends, and constituents from his Chicago area district.
Although some observers tagged him as a Tea Party candidate, Dold gives little credit to tea party support for his victory. Now that he is in Washington, he says the pressure he to produce results rather than to stay on the right side of Tea Party members who plan to keep a close eye on new members.
“We need to make sure we do everything we can to get more people back to work,” says Dold. “We are going to have to make some sacrifices, so that the next generation can have the opportunities that you and I have had, that they have the opportunity for a better America.”
Dold is excited to return to Washington and bring a positive change. “It’s the greatest honor of my lifetime to be able to represent the people of the 10th District. Having worked on Capitol Hill in the past in different capacities, it’s obviously fantastic to be back in Washington D.C.”
Like many of the new Republican Congressmen, Dold doesn’t have elective office experience. He is a business owner. This isn’t uncommon for Republicans, and even more so for the freshmen. The new members come from a variety of backgrounds, including business owners, farmers, and surgeons.
“I think you are going to see a lot more people in the freshmen class that are coming from different backgrounds as opposed to the traditional background of as a career politician,” says Dold.
Dold believes his business experience resonates with people more than his experience on Capitol Hill or as an attorney.
“I run a business and manage a payroll and a budget and hire people,” says Dold. “I know what it takes to hire more people. We need to have Washington run far more like we run our businesses.”
Dold will not be relocating his family to the capital. In response to the news that some new members will be sleeping in their offices, he says he will share a nearby apartment with others to keep costs down, but adds he would be happy to sleep on the floor.
“We are going to focus a lot of our time and effort back in the district. That’s where the people are,” says Dold. “Those are the people that have needs that I can listen to and then bring them back here to make some positive changes.”
