Bobby Schilling

Robert Todd Schilling (January 23, 1964 – April 6, 2021) was an American businessman and politician who served as a U.S. representative for from 2011 to 2013. Schilling was a member of the Republican Party. Schilling challenged incumbent Democrat Phil Hare in the 2010 election and defeated him by ten points. In 2014, he ran for his former seat but lost again to Bustos.

After relocating from Illinois to Iowa, he again ran for public office in 2020 for Iowa's 2nd congressional district. He lost the Republican primary to state senator Mariannette Miller-Meeks; this was the last election he competed in prior to his death.

Early life, education, and business career Schilling was born and raised in Rock Island, Illinois. He graduated from Alleman Catholic High School and attended Black Hawk College. According to public personal financial disclosures, Schilling's restaurant dropped in value in the early 2010s from a range of $100,000 to $250,000 down to between $50,000–$100,000. Schilling's son and campaign manager Terry Schilling said, "The real estate market has really taken a hit in East Moline. It just goes to show that Bobby Schilling has a real stake in this economy."

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2010

Schilling grew up as a Democrat, but became more conservative over the years and characterized himself as a "Reagan Republican."

2012

Schilling ran for re-election in 2012 and faced Democrat and former East Moline City Council Alderwoman Cheri Bustos in the general election. He has been added to the National Republican Congressional Committee's Patriot Program, which is designed to defend incumbent Republicans. Bustos received a significant assist from the 2010 round of redistricting. The 17th already had a modest Democratic lean, but the Democratic-controlled legislature redrew the district to make it even more Democratic. Notably, Quincy, Decatur and the district's share of Springfield were cut out, replaced by the more Democratic portions of Peoria and Rockford. National Journal's Cook Political Report named Schilling one of the top 10 Republicans most vulnerable to redistricting in 2012.

Schilling has raised $1.4 million and had $950,000 cash on hand as of June 30, 2011.

While initially rated as a "lean-Democrat" race by major sites, in September 2012, Roll Call, the Cook Political Report, and the Rothenburg Political Report upgraded the race to "toss-up", with Cook saying Schilling had an advantage.

Schilling was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, the Rockford Register Star, former Congressman Tom Railsback, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the Galesburg Register-Mail, among other endorsements.

In the November 2012 elections, Bustos defeated Schilling by a 53.3% to 46.7% margin. According to the Seattle Post Intelligencer, Schilling was "looking forward to focusing again on his pizza business after losing a second term."

2014

It was widely expected by political analysts that Schilling would challenge Bustos to reclaim the seat in 2014. On July 8, 2013, he officially announced his candidacy for his former seat in the 2014 election. In his announcement, he said Bustos has been failing the middle class, and criticized her for not supporting any budget plans in the legislature.

According to The Hill, Schilling "historically has not been a strong fundraiser but is known as a skilled grassroots campaigner." During 2013, Bustos raised approximately $1.1 million and Schilling raised approximately $297,000.

Schilling was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune.

Schilling was defeated in the November 4 general election by Bustos, 55.5% to 44.5%.

2020

Schilling announced he would run as a Republican for Iowa's 2nd District after incumbent representative Dave Loebsack, a Democrat who was first elected in 2006, announced he would retire. He lost the Republican primary to Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a state senator and the Republican nominee in 2008, 2010, and 2014.

Tenure Schilling's wife and 10 children attended the congressional swearing-in on January 5, 2011, attracting some notice and an interview with Diane Sawyer. Schilling voted for a package of cuts that included a $230 million federal grant to build an Amtrak line from Chicago to Iowa City, though he had supported the project during his campaign, calling it "critically important to both the economy and the environment of the Midwest."

During the 2011 debt ceiling crisis, Schilling voted to raise the debt ceiling.

In October 2011, a California resident issued a death threat promising a reward to anyone who assassinated Schilling. The threat is being investigated by the FBI and the United States Capitol Police. Schilling said he was advised by authorities to "lay low" while they investigated the threat and a spokeswoman for Schilling said the Schilling family was taking the "recommended precautions". According to The Hill, the person behind the threat may be the one behind similar threats against George W. Bush, several high-ranking current and former security and defense officials, and Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado. Schilling said, "It's a general threat to all members of Congress, but they specifically called my name out in the threat. You just don't know what people are thinking...It's something we're not going to take lightly."

In September 2012, Schilling was given the "Friend of Agriculture Award" by the Stephenson County Farm Bureau. In October 2012, he was given the "No Labels Problem Solvers Seal".

Political positions Schilling was considered to be a Tea Party candidate in the 2010 election.