Kendall Co. Board Chair Gryder Considering Underwood Challenge

Kendall County Board Chairman Scott Gryder, a Republican from Oswego, says he is considering a challenge to Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) in the new 14th district in 2022.

After conservative radio host Mike Koolidge announced he is challenging Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville), more candidates and potential candidates are starting to emerge.

One is Kendall County Board Chairman Scott Gryder, a Republican from Oswego, who has been chairman since 2012. Gryder is President and General Counsel for a Chicago-based commercial and residential land title service and sought the appointment earlier this year to become chairman of the Illinois Republican Party.

Gryder confirmed to me last night he’s considering the race after being encouraged to run by some local Republicans and business owners. He calls himself a “pro-growth Republican who is tired of the nonsense in D.C., Springfield. and Chicago.”

Gryder says he’ll make a decision over the holidays.

The new Democrat-drawn map makes the 14th slightly more Democratic, but Underwood defeated Republican Jim Oberweis by about 5,000 votes of around 400,000 cast last year.

NewsPatrick Pfingsten