Endorsement: Congress, Dist. 6: Casten

In the battle to represent Illinois’ 6th Congressional District, we have two highly educated candidates with backgrounds in the energy field. The similarities, however, end there.

Democratic incumbent Sean Casten of Downers Grove and Republican challenger Niki Conforti of Glen Ellyn are wide apart on key issues and, perhaps more importantly, on the way they defend their stances.

Conforti, for example, takes the Donald Trump approach to discussing immigration, tying the influx to everything from rampant crime to supporters wanting to create a “one-party nation” to Chicago students getting kicked out of school to make room for migrants. When pressed, however, she could not name such a school or provide any other details. Chicago Public Schools adamantly denies the accusation.

And when asked about false claims about migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, Conforti pointed to a widely cited video but admitted she did not know whether the woman involved was Haitian. (The woman is American — and not from Springfield.)

We need less misinformation in Washington, not more.

For that reason and many others, Casten should be reelected.

Casten, now seeking his fourth term, has always been an articulate and well-informed candidate and congressman. He has grown in the job since he defeated U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam in 2018, capturing a high-profile seat long held by Republicans for the Democrats. Casten has rewarded voters’ confidence by being a steady presence in the district, which includes parts of DuPage and Cook counties, and holding frequent town halls.

Casten’s background as a scientist working to combat climate change makes him an important voice on this vital issue. He served on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, helping shape the report that would lead to the Inflation Reduction Act, a massive bill addressing climate change and other issues.

Casten earns our endorsement.