Will County Gazette

Illinois congressional candidate Ted Gradel (R-Naperville) had a hard time understanding incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood's (D-Naperville) recent vote to reject a ban on fentanyl-like drugs.

“It is unacceptable that Lauren Underwood voted against a ban on the most dangerous drug in America," Gradel told the Will County Gazette. "This is not a partisan issue. Fentanyl is a crisis that is tearing apart our communities. Republicans and Democrats have come together to outlaw this drug because of its devastating effects on our families. Underwood is far outside the mainstream with her radical opposition to this critical tool to combat a crippling epidemic.”

In addition to being one of several of Underwood's challengers in the 14th Congressional District, Gradel is a business owner, a former Notre Dame football player and father of three. He is also a longtime youth sports coach, having coached thousands of basketball and soccer games throughout the Naperville area.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) | twitter.com/repunderwood

Gradel is running for Congress “to fight for the principles that made America the greatest in the world,” according to his website. His platform includes term limits for politicians in both political parties, opposition to Illinois' Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker's progressive income-tax proposal, and the belief that out-of-control debt is the biggest threat to the United States’ security.

Gradel was named an “On the Radar” candidate last August by the National Republican Congressional Committee as part of its 2020 Young Guns program.   

Crain’s Chicago Business reported that Underwood was one of nine Democrats to vote against the fentanyl-type drug ban.