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Schocker: 'Hottest' freshman from Illinois
by Mark Silva
Rep. Aaron Schock of Peoria, the youngest member of Congress -- and the "hottest freshman,'' according to the readers of The Huffington Post -- says he is honored.
"It's about time politicians from Illinois were known for something other than bad haircuts or having the ability to walk on water,'' Schock says in an essay acknowledging his award.
The Schock treatment that the Republican newcomer to Washington is getting marks yet another recognition in the fast-tracked career of a guy who's been the youngest at a lot of things, including his hometown School Board.
Schock picked up the seat that former Rep. Ray LaHood left with retirement from Congress -- only to become Transportation secretary and one of only a few Republican Cabinet members serving President Barack Obama, that other Illinoisan to whom the "hottest freshman'' alludes.
"Aaron Schock is an expert at starting young,'' as Laura Olson, an intern in the Tribune Washington Bureau, wrote in a recent profile of him:
By Laura Olson
Aaron Schock is an expert at starting young.
Elected to succeed the retiring Rep. Ray LaHood from Illinois' 18th Congressional District at the age of 27, Schock is familiar with being the freshest face in the room.
From his term on the Peoria school board to his service as a state representative, Schock has defined the parameters of age gaps with colleagues.
"There may be some double-takes when I pass through security without going through the metal detectors," the Republican said, grinning. "Is this guy really a member of Congress?"
Schock isn't wasting any time. He spent last week in Washington learning the ropes of his new job on Capitol Hill. He set out to get to know fellow freshmen, to learn "what issues make them tick," hire a staff and find a place to live.
He will join a growing number of youthful members of Congress. Reps. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) are both in their 30s. And Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.), elected in 2000 at age 26, served last term as chairman of the House Republican Conference, stepping down from that post after the election.
In a body where the average age tends toward the upper 50s, the youngest members bring a new perspective.
"After a couple of months, as it was in the Statehouse, people get used to you and get to know you," Schock said. "You become a member of the organization, an equal member with an equal vote."
Schock hopes his youth will be an advantage in using new technologies, such as virtual town-hall meetings and e-newsletters, to help him stay in touch with constituents. He will offer a fresh take on programs such as Social Security that will cost a younger generation more to maintain.
"My concern is, what's the sustainability of a program like that for the next generation?" Schock said. "Is Social Security, is Medicare going to be around when I get to age 60 or 70 and retire?"
The title of "youngest" has followed him from birth -- he has three older siblings. His family lived in rural Minnesota until he was 10, then moved to Peoria.
As a teenager, Schock was interested in real estate and business. He invested in his first properties before graduating from high school and continued while studying finance at Bradley University.
But it was his experience with his local school board that sparked his interest in public service. Schock wanted to graduate early from high school, but the school board prohibited that. Unable to convince members to relent, he noticed they had been unopposed in a recent election.
He decided to run against the board president.
When the incumbent challenged Schock's petition to place his name on the ballot, Schock ran as a write-in candidate. He knocked on 13,000 doors and garnered more than 6,000 votes -- enough to earn him a board seat.
He was 19.
The board elected him president three years later.
But Schock saw another opportunity, this time in the state General Assembly. When he challenged the incumbent in his state House district, friends said he'd lose because of the "R" after his name. He won by 235 votes.
Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross said that in Springfield, Schock was able to pass a number of bills despite the contentious political atmosphere.
"He's a guy who is substantive and knowledgeable and the real deal," Cross said. "It would have been really easy to forget your roots, and that never happened with Aaron."
Rep. Susana Mendoza, an Illinois House Democrat who supported both President-elect Barack Obama and Schock in this year's election, adds: "He's been someone who I could talk to and could bring my legislation."
Now Schock is taking over a congressional district that LaHood served for seven terms. LaHood, who's known Schock since he ran for the school board, has offered assistance on decisions about staffing and other practicalities of the job.
"These opportunities for congressional seats, people wait a lifetime for them," LaHood said. "I think people anticipated that there would be a number of good candidates and that Aaron would be among them. He's a very ambitious young man -- I wasn't surprised."
While a Facebook group calling for Schock to consider a 2016 run for the presidency is likely a bit premature (he won't turn 35 until 2016), LaHood believes Schock represents what the GOP is looking for in up-and-coming leaders.
"I think he'll be looked at as someone who can revitalize the Republican Party in Illinois and go out to recruit people to run for congressional seats as well," he said.
In Washington, Schock might heed the words of Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who arrived in Congress in 2005 at age 29 and was the youngest member before Schock's election. The youth title can be "a blessing and curse," he says.
"It's a challenge because people want to talk to you more about your age and less about what you're trying to get done," McHenry said. "Aaron has had eight years in [public] office -- he's battle-tested on the age question."
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