TOP RACE
Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11)
Democrat - Illinois
Running for House
Rep. Bill Foster is an American physicist, entrepreneur, and politician. Before entering politics, he worked as a high-energy physicist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). He also co-founded a successful engineering company, Electronic Theatre Controls. Foster was first elected to Congress in a 2008 special election, serving until 2011, and then returned to the House in 2013, where he has served continuously since. In Congress, he has been involved in science and technology policy, climate research funding, and oversight of federal scientific programs.
PARTY: Democrat
ELECTED: - U.S. House of Representatives (IL-14) (2008–2011)
U.S. House of Representatives (IL-11) 2013–present
EDUCATION: University of Wisconsin–Madison (B.S), Harvard University (PhD in Physics)
OCCUPATION PRIOR TO CONGRESS: Particle physicist at Fermilab; Entrepreneur/engineering company co-founder
BORN: October 7, 1955
First-time candidates do not yet have a voting record.
"I AM JUST DISAGREEING WITH YOU! In America, we have the freedom of speech! The right to disagree!"
- Rep. Bill Foster
POLITICAL CAREER
Entered Congress via a 2008 special election.
Served two nonconsecutive periods in the U.S. House (2008–2011 and 2013–present).
COMMITTEES SERVED ON
House Committee on Financial Services
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee (Former Member)
INTERESTING FACTS
Only Ph.D. physicist in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Worked at Fermilab on major particle physics research projects.
Co-founded a major theatrical lighting technology company at age 19.
