So far, with no GOP primary challenger in sight, Lincolnshire pediatrician Arie Friedman is focused on solidifying his base, energizing grassroots volunteers and raising campaign funds for his bid to succeed a retiring Democrat with a Republican in Illinois' new 29th Legislative District. Monday evening, Dr. Friedman will be welcoming old and young to join his efforts at Francesca's in Northbrook.
Illinois Review spoke with Friedman in a coffee shop near his Premier Pediatrics' Lincolnshire office last week, and he described the new district, his interest in running for State Senate, and why he believes he can win in the 29th District.
(Click on image to hear audio)
In Part 1, Dr. Friedman describes the new 29th district and its large number of independent voters:
Friedman says he was interested in running for State Senate even before the new district's map was known and before Senator Susan Garrett (D-Highland Park) announced she was retiring in 2013:
He said he was asked to run for Congress as he did in the 2010 10th CD GOP primary, but this time in the 9th CD, taking on Democrat Congresswoman Jan Schakowksy:
Dr. Friedman has been a pediatrician for almost a decade in the northern suburbs. Having served in the U.S. Navy himself, Dr. Friedman's practice is one of the area's few that reaches out to military families:
Since the military's health insurance TriCare pays similar to Medicare, Dr Friedman says the coming 30 percent in Medicare is likely to affect TriCare's acceptance as well, spelling out how Obamacare will affect the nation's health care system:
More in Part 2 of the Friedman interview coming up on Illinois Review.
