Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16)i

Congressman Adam Kinzinger

Adam Kinzinger is the incumbent in the 2002 -2010 Illinois District 11 and running for relection in the 2012 – 2020 Illinois District 16.

House links: Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-11)i

Campaign links: Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16)i

Adam Kinzinger Congressional Candidate Illinois District 16

Biography of Adam Kinzinger from House.gov

Adam Kinzinger is the United States Representative for the Eleventh Congressional District of Illinois and was appointed to the Energy & Commerce Committee, one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives in December 2010.

Strengthening U.S. energy policy and making our nation less reliant on foreign resources is a top priority for Kinzinger in Congress. The Eleventh District is home to three nuclear power plants, miles of windmills, hydropower plants, ethanol and biodiesel plants and an oil refinery. The nuclear energy production alone employs more than 2,500 people throughout the District. As a result, he is committed to advancing nuclear production at home and focusing on energy independence

Another focal point for Kinzinger in Congress is increased accessibility to his constituents throughout the Eleventh District, which is essential to develop and grow public trust. Kinzinger intends to provide constituents with an open and direct line of communication to their federal government on matters facing the Energy & Commerce Committee.

Just days after the election, Kinzinger was named to the House Majority Transition Team. This team was made up of 22 incoming and current House Republicans who are proven reformers and offer a fresh perspective to restore government into the hands of the people. The transition team proposed solutions to ensure the new Majority will serve as the people’s voice and implement the proposals that Americans are demanding.

Kinzinger was chosen by Leadership to serve as a Deputy Republican Whip.

At the age of 33, Kinzinger is one of the youngest Members of Congress and was named one of Time Magazine’s 40 under 40 “Rising stars in American politics.”

Education and Early Career

Adam Kinzinger became active in his community early on. As a 20-year old sophomore at Illinois State University (ISU), he challenged a three-term Democrat incumbent for the McLean County Board. Kinzinger advocated for restoring local government back into the hands of the people and won a seat on the board, becoming one of the youngest county board members in McLean County history.

During his service on the board, Kinzinger fought for the people’s priorities—Opposing pay raises for elected officials; Fighting against taxes on small businesses; And, supporting measures for increased transparency and public participation in county government. He made constituent services a top priority and was easily accessible to all members of his community. Additionally, Kinzinger worked to make the taxpayer’s voice heard and was often the lead Republican spokesman on major issues facing the county.

Kinzinger earned his undergraduate degree from ISU in 2000. He served on the McLean County Board from 1998-2003.

Military Experience

After serving on the McLean County Board for five years, Kinzinger joined the United States Air Force. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in November 2003 and later awarded his pilot wings. He has served in the Air Force Special Operations, Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, and Air National Guard. He has the current rank of Captain.

Kinzinger will continue to serve his country as a pilot in the Air National Guard as a Member of Congress.

Awards and Honors

Kinzinger has been recognized for his civic service both in and out of uniform.

In 2007, he received the United States Air Force Airman’s Medal for saving the life of a young woman whom was violently attacked. He wrestled the knife away from the attacker and pinned him to the ground until the police arrived. He was also awarded the National Guard’s Valley Forge Cross for Heroism and was selected as the Southeastern Wisconsin American Red Cross Hero of the Year.

Kinzinger has earned the Air Medal six times serving in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Family

Adam Kinzinger’s roots run deep across the Eleventh District. He was born in Kankakee, grew up in Bloomington, and now resides in Channahon. His mother, Jodi, is an elementary schoolteacher, and his father Rus is a former CEO of two faith-based organizations. His parents instilled in him and his two siblings the importance of hard work and responsiveness through public service to the needs of those throughout our communities.

Biography of Adam Kinzinger from Kinzinger for Congress

Adam Kinzinger, 33, is a focused, results oriented, Conservative leader, dedicated to getting our government back to the roots, which made it strong in the first place.

Adam was recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars of American Politics. Time calls Adam part of a “new generation of civic leaders is already at work trying to fix a broken system — and restore faith in the process.” U.S. News and World Report also named Adam as one the Republican Party’s Five Rising Stars.

Since he was sworn into the United States Congress in January 2011, Adam was named to the Energy and Commerce Committee and to the Republican Whip team serving as a Deputy Whip. Adam is committed to focusing Congress’ efforts toward more aggressively exploring our country’s vast energy resources, including wind, nuclear, coal, off-shore oil, natural gas, and oil shale. Those efforts will not only bring new jobs today, but save dollars and strengthen our national security for tomorrow.

As a candidate for office, Adam pledged to work toward reducing the size and scope of government and eliminating wasteful spending. Adam’s efforts have made progress as noted by the Washington Post who cited, “Freshman Rep Adam Kinzinger could serve as a poster boy for the new breed of conservatives who are eager to wipe out government waste and inefficiency – no matter where they find it.”

Early Years
Adam was born in Kankakee, lived in Watseka during his early years but spent most of his childhood growing up in Bloomington, IL. His mother, an elementary schoolteacher, and his father, a former CEO of two faith-based organizations, taught Adam important values of hard work and responsiveness to the needs of less fortunate individuals in our communities. Adam earned his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in 2000.

While a sophomore at ISU, Adam challenged a twelve-year Democrat incumbent for the McLean County Board. Adam shared his vision to restore local government back into the hands of the people and won a seat on the board. Adam became one of the youngest county board members in McLean County history.

During his service on the board, Adam focused on the ideas he believed in – opposing elected officials’ pay raises in tough economic times, standing out against internet taxation to local businesses, and supporting measures allowing for greater public participation in county government. Adam quickly earned the respect of his colleagues, was easily accessible to his constituents, and was often the lead Republican spokesman on important issues facing the county board.

Military Career
In 2003, Adam joined the United States Air Force. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in November 2003 and later awarded his pilot wings. Adam has served in the Air Force Special Operations, Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, and Air National Guard.

Adam continues to serve in the Air National Guard, while in Congress, with the current rank of Captain.

Adam has been recognized for his efforts both in and out of uniform. In 2007, he received the United States Air Force Airman’s Medal for saving the life of a young woman who was violently attacked. Despite the likelihood that he too would be stabbed, Adam wrestled the knife away from the attacker and pinned him to the ground until the police arrived. He was also awarded the National Guard’s Valley Forge Cross for Heroism and was selected as the Southeastern Wisconsin American Red Cross Hero of the Year.

Adam understands the value of American freedom and is committed to protecting and serving the citizens of his district and country both in uniform and elected office. He has the skills and drive to rise above the political noise, bring government back to the people and to create a lasting positive impact for the people of the district.