Steve Botsford

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Steve Botsford Jr. completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Botsford's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading-bio-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI grew up in the northwest suburbs of Illinois, graduated from Notre Dame, and walked on to the football team. After school I worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Tony Cárdenas, where I helped draft legislation on economic mobility and workforce issues. I later earned a master’s in applied economics from Georgetown and an MBA from Northwestern.\r\n<p>My career has taken me through structured finance, political campaigns, and now the small real estate business my family built. In 2023 I ran for Chicago City Council, knocking on nearly every door in the ward and centering my campaign on two things that matter to every neighborhood (building more housing people can afford and making communities safer).\r\n</p>\nIllinois has always been home, and everything I’ve worked on comes back to the same idea: strengthening the places families live, work, and build their futures.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading-key-message-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Families feel squeezed because the cost of everything keeps rising while our systems stay stuck. I want to lower the cost of living by building more housing, expanding clean and reliable energy, cutting unnecessary barriers that drive up prices, and making healthcare and childcare more affordable. Growing the economy by increasing supply is the most direct way to help working people build stability and plan for the future.</li><li>The American Dream used to mean each generation could climb higher through hard work. Today, that dream feels out of reach for too many families priced out of homeownership, weighed down by debt, or stuck in systems that don’t deliver. I want to restore that promise by expanding opportunity, making it easier to start a family, buy a home, and build a good life. A country as wealthy and innovative as ours should make upward mobility possible again.</li><li>Democrats lost ground in 2024, especially with voters we used to win. The party’s brand has grown narrower, and career politicians aren’t bringing new people into the coalition. If we want to govern and pass big reforms, we need candidates who can appeal to independents, moderates, and voters who drifted away. I want to open the tent, broaden our appeal, and show that Democrats can be the party of growth, safety, opportunity, and practical results, not insider careerism.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading1-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’m passionate about making life more affordable and rebuilding the systems families rely on. That includes increasing housing supply, expanding clean and reliable energy, and modernizing permitting so we can build faster. I care about public safety and evidence-based approaches that reduce violent crime. I’m focused on expanding economic opportunity, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and using new technology (including AI tutoring) to improve education. Above all, I’m driven by restoring mobility so the American Dream is possible again.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading2-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIntegrity, honesty, and accountability matter most. Voters should know exactly where you stand and why. An elected official needs the discipline to focus on results instead of theatrics, the independence to challenge their own party when needed, and the humility to listen to the people they represent. Personally, I think it’s important to be optimistic about our future, appeal to the better angels of our nature, and show a patriotism rooted in building a stronger country rather than fearmongering to win votes.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading3-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe core responsibility of a senator is to exercise independent judgment and do what is right for the country, not simply what is popular in the moment. That means weighing long-term consequences, protecting national interests, and making decisions rooted in evidence, duty, and the public good. A senator should strengthen the institutions that keep the country stable, ensure government works for ordinary families, and focus on policies that expand opportunity and security for the next generation.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading4-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI want to leave a legacy of integrity and public service that feels connected to the lives of ordinary people. I want voters to look at my work and feel that politics can be a noble profession again, grounded in honesty, empathy, and a real commitment to the country’s future. If people can say I listened, worked hard, and earned their trust, that’s the legacy I’d want to leave.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading5-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy favorite book is Greg Mankiw’s Principles of Microeconomics. It opened my world to economics and taught me that incentives drive everything and that second-order effects are often the hardest to predict. It was the first class that felt completely intuitive to me, the first time I felt genuinely smart in an academic setting, and the only A+ I ever earned in college.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading6-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’d choose Josh Lyman. He combined intellectual ferocity with a deep commitment to the mission he believed in, but he also never took himself too seriously, even in an incredibly serious job. That mix of intensity, purpose, and perspective is something I aspire to.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading7-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOur greatest challenges are affordability, technological disruption, and a political system that hasn’t kept pace with either. Families are being squeezed by housing, energy, healthcare, and childcare costs that rise faster than paychecks. AI and global competition will reshape work, and we need to manage that transition so opportunity expands rather than narrows. And we need a governing system capable of solving big problems again. If we don’t fix those three areas, the American Dream will keep drifting further out of reach.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading8-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI support term limits. Long tenures can create complacency and a culture where holding office matters more than solving problems. Term limits for the House and Senate should be longer than those for the presidency, which reinforces a core constitutional idea (Congress is the superior branch and should never be overshadowed by an imperial executive). Regular turnover brings fresh energy while still preserving the experience needed to govern well.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading9-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Senate is unique because it’s designed to slow down short-term politics and force deeper judgment. With longer terms and a statewide constituency, senators are expected to think beyond immediate pressures and take responsibility for the country’s long-term stability. The chamber’s structure encourages coalition-building and gives space for real oversight of national policy. At its best, the Senate is less reliant on party leadership and allows senators to bring independent perspectives to the country’s biggest challenges.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading10-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tExperience can help, but it isn’t the only thing that matters. What matters is judgment, independence, and a track record of solving real problems. Some senators with long résumés get trapped in party habits and stop bringing fresh ideas. Others with less traditional backgrounds approach the job with clearer eyes. The ideal mix is practical experience, an understanding of how government works, and the independence to challenge it when it’s not serving the public well.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading11-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you think of the filibuster?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe filibuster was once a practice that encouraged broad, bipartisan solutions. In today’s heightened political conflict, it functions more as a tool of gridlock than deliberation. When it routinely prevents the country from tackling the major challenges in front of us, it stops serving its purpose. We need a Senate that can still debate, still build durable coalitions, but also still act.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading12-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tDaniel Patrick Moynihan is the senator I look to most. He combined intellectual seriousness with a deep understanding of how policy shapes everyday life. He cared about data, institutions, and long-term national strength, and he wasn’t afraid to challenge his own party when the evidence required it. Moynihan understood that good governance depends on clear thinking, honest debate, and a willingness to confront hard problems directly, qualities I would strive to bring to the Senate.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading13-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow would you evaluate a judicial nominee?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would look for integrity, legal excellence, and a clear commitment to applying the law as written. Judges shouldn’t legislate from the bench or stretch constitutional limits to reach outcomes they prefer. I want nominees who respect precedent, understand the proper role of each branch, and can separate personal views from judicial duty. The goal is a judiciary that is fair, restrained, and grounded in the Constitution, not one that swings with political winds.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading14-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat kind of relationships would you build with other senators?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would build relationships based on trust, direct communication, and a shared commitment to getting things done. I’m interested in working with anyone who wants to lower costs, strengthen the country, and restore public confidence in government. That means building ties across party lines, keeping disagreements honest and respectful, and focusing on areas where durable coalitions are possible. The Senate works best when its members see each other as partners in governing, not props in a partisan fight.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading15-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCompromise is a necessity for durable policymaking. A senator should fight for core principles while also assembling coalitions broad enough to turn ideas into law. The goal isn’t to win every point, it’s to make real progress on challenges like affordability, public safety, and economic growth. When compromise produces lasting solutions that move the country forward, it isn’t a concession, it’s governing.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading16-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Senate should use its investigative powers to strengthen government, not score political points. Oversight should focus on major national challenges, the functioning of key institutions, and giving the public clear answers. It should also reinforce Congress as the most important branch of government by ensuring the executive doesn’t trample on legislative authority. Investigations should be fact-driven, forward-looking, and aimed at fixing problems rather than creating headlines.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading17-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe a president should have the Cabinet he needs to run his administration, and confirmations shouldn’t be stalled for political calculations. At the same time, the Senate has a responsibility to ensure every nominee is qualified for the job. I look for competence, independence, and respect for the law. Cabinet officials must be able to manage major institutions, give honest counsel, and operate within the limits of executive authority.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading18-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is an accomplishment that you are proud of?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading18-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAn accomplishment I’m proud of is earning my way into Notre Dame after getting rejected the first time. I transferred to Indiana, worked harder than I ever had, got the grades, and was admitted. Then I pushed even further and walked on to the football team, despite never starting in high school. That experience taught me that with enough perseverance you can overcome setbacks, outwork failure, and change your own trajectory.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading19-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading19-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe federal government should set clear national guardrails for AI. Leaving regulation to 50 different state legislatures would create a patchwork of rules that slows innovation and undermines the competitiveness of American companies. We need one strong federal framework that protects consumers, ensures transparency, and keeps the country on the frontier of technological progress. AI is also a geopolitical issue. If we fall behind, countries like China will set the standards for the next era. The goal is safe, responsible AI that strengthens American leadership.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-366775-2025-12-02\" id=\"heading20-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-366775-2025-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading20-366775-2025-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-366775-2025-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would support national independent redistricting to end partisan map-drawing, clear federal standards for voter ID, and legislation that allows states to adopt ranked-choice voting and nonpartisan primaries. I’d invest in secure infrastructure to experiment with mobile voting and upgrade voting systems nationwide. I also favor increasing the size of the House and allowing multi-member districts to make representation more accountable to the public. The goal is an election system that is fair, transparent, and strengthens trust in our democracy.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<p>Steve Botsford Jr. did not complete <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection</a> survey.\n</p>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nSteve Botsford Jr. completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Botsford's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Illinois, graduated from Notre Dame, and walked on to the football team. After school I worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Tony Cárdenas, where I helped draft legislation on economic mobility and workforce issues. I later earned a master’s in applied economics from Georgetown and an MBA from Northwestern. My career has taken me through structured finance, political campaigns, and now the small real estate business my family built. In 2023 I ran for Chicago City Council, knocking on nearly every door in the ward and centering my campaign on two things that matter to every neighborhood (building more housing people can afford and making communities safer). Illinois has always been home, and everything I’ve worked on comes back to the same idea: strengthening the places families live, work, and build their futures. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Families feel squeezed because the cost of everything keeps rising while our systems stay stuck. I want to lower the cost of living by building more housing, expanding clean and reliable energy, cutting unnecessary barriers that drive up prices, and making healthcare and childcare more affordable. Growing the economy by increasing supply is the most direct way to help working people build stability and plan for the future. The American Dream used to mean each generation could climb higher through hard work. Today, that dream feels out of reach for too many families priced out of homeownership, weighed down by debt, or stuck in systems that don’t deliver. I want to restore that promise by expanding opportunity, making it easier to start a family, buy a home, and build a good life. A country as wealthy and innovative as ours should make upward mobility possible again. Democrats lost ground in 2024, especially with voters we used to win. The party’s brand has grown narrower, and career politicians aren’t bringing new people into the coalition. If we want to govern and pass big reforms, we need candidates who can appeal to independents, moderates, and voters who drifted away. I want to open the tent, broaden our appeal, and show that Democrats can be the party of growth, safety, opportunity, and practical results, not insider careerism. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I’m passionate about making life more affordable and rebuilding the systems families rely on. That includes increasing housing supply, expanding clean and reliable energy, and modernizing permitting so we can build faster. I care about public safety and evidence-based approaches that reduce violent crime. I’m focused on expanding economic opportunity, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and using new technology (including AI tutoring) to improve education. Above all, I’m driven by restoring mobility so the American Dream is possible again. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Integrity, honesty, and accountability matter most. Voters should know exactly where you stand and why. An elected official needs the discipline to focus on results instead of theatrics, the independence to challenge their own party when needed, and the humility to listen to the people they represent. Personally, I think it’s important to be optimistic about our future, appeal to the better angels of our nature, and show a patriotism rooted in building a stronger country rather than fearmongering to win votes. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? The core responsibility of a senator is to exercise independent judgment and do what is right for the country, not simply what is popular in the moment. That means weighing long-term consequences, protecting national interests, and making decisions rooted in evidence, duty, and the public good. A senator should strengthen the institutions that keep the country stable, ensure government works for ordinary families, and focus on policies that expand opportunity and security for the next generation. What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave a legacy of integrity and public service that feels connected to the lives of ordinary people. I want voters to look at my work and feel that politics can be a noble profession again, grounded in honesty, empathy, and a real commitment to the country’s future. If people can say I listened, worked hard, and earned their trust, that’s the legacy I’d want to leave. What is your favorite book? Why? My favorite book is Greg Mankiw’s Principles of Microeconomics. It opened my world to economics and taught me that incentives drive everything and that second-order effects are often the hardest to predict. It was the first class that felt completely intuitive to me, the first time I felt genuinely smart in an academic setting, and the only A+ I ever earned in college. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? I’d choose Josh Lyman. He combined intellectual ferocity with a deep commitment to the mission he believed in, but he also never took himself too seriously, even in an incredibly serious job. That mix of intensity, purpose, and perspective is something I aspire to. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Our greatest challenges are affordability, technological disruption, and a political system that hasn’t kept pace with either. Families are being squeezed by housing, energy, healthcare, and childcare costs that rise faster than paychecks. AI and global competition will reshape work, and we need to manage that transition so opportunity expands rather than narrows. And we need a governing system capable of solving big problems again. If we don’t fix those three areas, the American Dream will keep drifting further out of reach. What are your thoughts on term limits? I support term limits. Long tenures can create complacency and a culture where holding office matters more than solving problems. Term limits for the House and Senate should be longer than those for the presidency, which reinforces a core constitutional idea (Congress is the superior branch and should never be overshadowed by an imperial executive). Regular turnover brings fresh energy while still preserving the experience needed to govern well. What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution? The Senate is unique because it’s designed to slow down short-term politics and force deeper judgment. With longer terms and a statewide constituency, senators are expected to think beyond immediate pressures and take responsibility for the country’s long-term stability. The chamber’s structure encourages coalition-building and gives space for real oversight of national policy. At its best, the Senate is less reliant on party leadership and allows senators to bring independent perspectives to the country’s biggest challenges. Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics? Experience can help, but it isn’t the only thing that matters. What matters is judgment, independence, and a track record of solving real problems. Some senators with long résumés get trapped in party habits and stop bringing fresh ideas. Others with less traditional backgrounds approach the job with clearer eyes. The ideal mix is practical experience, an understanding of how government works, and the independence to challenge it when it’s not serving the public well. What do you think of the filibuster? The filibuster was once a practice that encouraged broad, bipartisan solutions. In today’s heightened political conflict, it functions more as a tool of gridlock than deliberation. When it routinely prevents the country from tackling the major challenges in front of us, it stops serving its purpose. We need a Senate that can still debate, still build durable coalitions, but also still act. Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? Daniel Patrick Moynihan is the senator I look to most. He combined intellectual seriousness with a deep understanding of how policy shapes everyday life. He cared about data, institutions, and long-term national strength, and he wasn’t afraid to challenge his own party when the evidence required it. Moynihan understood that good governance depends on clear thinking, honest debate, and a willingness to confront hard problems directly, qualities I would strive to bring to the Senate. How would you evaluate a judicial nominee? I would look for integrity, legal excellence, and a clear commitment to applying the law as written. Judges shouldn’t legislate from the bench or stretch constitutional limits to reach outcomes they prefer. I want nominees who respect precedent, understand the proper role of each branch, and can separate personal views from judicial duty. The goal is a judiciary that is fair, restrained, and grounded in the Constitution, not one that swings with political winds. What kind of relationships would you build with other senators? I would build relationships based on trust, direct communication, and a shared commitment to getting things done. I’m interested in working with anyone who wants to lower costs, strengthen the country, and restore public confidence in government. That means building ties across party lines, keeping disagreements honest and respectful, and focusing on areas where durable coalitions are possible. The Senate works best when its members see each other as partners in governing, not props in a partisan fight. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Compromise is a necessity for durable policymaking. A senator should fight for core principles while also assembling coalitions broad enough to turn ideas into law. The goal isn’t to win every point, it’s to make real progress on challenges like affordability, public safety, and economic growth. When compromise produces lasting solutions that move the country forward, it isn’t a concession, it’s governing. How should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers? The Senate should use its investigative powers to strengthen government, not score political points. Oversight should focus on major national challenges, the functioning of key institutions, and giving the public clear answers. It should also reinforce Congress as the most important branch of government by ensuring the executive doesn’t trample on legislative authority. Investigations should be fact-driven, forward-looking, and aimed at fixing problems rather than creating headlines. What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet? I believe a president should have the Cabinet he needs to run his administration, and confirmations shouldn’t be stalled for political calculations. At the same time, the Senate has a responsibility to ensure every nominee is qualified for the job. I look for competence, independence, and respect for the law. Cabinet officials must be able to manage major institutions, give honest counsel, and operate within the limits of executive authority. What is an accomplishment that you are proud of? An accomplishment I’m proud of is earning my way into Notre Dame after getting rejected the first time. I transferred to Indiana, worked harder than I ever had, got the grades, and was admitted. Then I pushed even further and walked on to the football team, despite never starting in high school. That experience taught me that with enough perseverance you can overcome setbacks, outwork failure, and change your own trajectory. What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence? The federal government should set clear national guardrails for AI. Leaving regulation to 50 different state legislatures would create a patchwork of rules that slows innovation and undermines the competitiveness of American companies. We need one strong federal framework that protects consumers, ensures transparency, and keeps the country on the frontier of technological progress. AI is also a geopolitical issue. If we fall behind, countries like China will set the standards for the next era. The goal is safe, responsible AI that strengthens American leadership. What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States? I would support national independent redistricting to end partisan map-drawing, clear federal standards for voter ID, and legislation that allows states to adopt ranked-choice voting and nonpartisan primaries. I’d invest in secure infrastructure to experiment with mobile voting and upgrade voting systems nationwide. I also favor increasing the size of the House and allowing multi-member districts to make representation more accountable to the public. The goal is an election system that is fair, transparent, and strengthens trust in our democracy.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.\n\nSteve Botsford Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey."}]