Melissa Bean (née Luburich; born January 22, 1962) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2005 to 2011. Bean is a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life, education, and business career
Bean attended Maine East High School before graduating from Oakton Community College with an associate degree in 1982 and from Roosevelt University in 2002 with a bachelor's degree. Prior to her election to Congress, she was president of a home-based business, Sales Resources Inc.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2002
In 2002, Bean ran against 73-year-old 8th District Republican incumbent Phil Crane, a 33-year incumbent. Bean attacked Crane for taking numerous lobbyist-funded trips. She lost, but gained 43% of the vote. This was unexpected since she had received very little funding from the national party. The 8th had historically been the most Republican district in the Chicago area, and by some accounts was the most Republican district in all of Illinois. Bean's performance was even more notable since the 8th had reportedly been redrawn to protect Crane.
2004
Bean sought a rematch against Crane in 2004. During the campaign, Bean raised almost as much money as Crane, mostly from individual donors, whereas Crane's money came mostly from political action committees. Her strong showing in 2002 led the national party to pump a large amount of money into her campaign. Bean was endorsed by the Daily Herald, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times—the three major newspapers in her district.
Faced with having to campaign for what was previously thought to be a safe seat, the Republicans tried their best to keep Crane in office. However, on November 2, 2004, Bean defeated Crane with 52% of the vote. Although George W. Bush during the 2004 presidential election won the district with 56% of the vote, Bean was helped by US Senate candidate Barack Obama, who carried the district. She is the first Democrat to represent the district since its formation in 1935. (The district was numbered the 10th District from 1935 to 1949, the 13th from 1949 to 1973, the 12th from 1973 to 1993 and has been the 8th since 1993.)
2006
In 2006, Bean's seat was seen by Republicans as winnable due to her freshman status, the 8th district's historical Republican tilt, and George W. Bush' 2004 presidential vote margin. Most of the district's state representatives and state senators were Republicans. In much of the district, Bean was the only elected Democrat above the county level. Bean's reelection became a top priority of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).
Bean faced the winner of a competitive six-candidate Republican primary, David McSweeney, in the general election. As in 2004, Bean was endorsed by all three of the major newspapers in her district. She defeated McSweeney, 51% to 44%.
2008
Bean decisively defeated her 2008 opponent, businessman Steve Greenberg. Although she was one of forty-four Democrats in the House who voted to condemn the MoveOn.org group for their controversial "General Betray-us" ad in 2007, he criticized her for accepting over $80,000 in campaign donations from them three years earlier. Bean defeated Greenberg, 60% to 40%.
2010
Bean was challenged by Republican nominee Joe Walsh and Green Party nominee Bill Scheurer. Although Bean was heavily favored, she lost to Walsh by only 291 votes. Bill Scheurer received 6,400 votes, which far exceeded Walsh's margin of victory.
Bean was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, The Daily Herald, and the Lake County News-Sun.
Tenure
Bean was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and the New Democrat Coalition.
Bean was a member of the Small Business and Financial Services committees for her entire House tenure. Normally, House Democrats who serve on the Financial Services Committee cannot serve on any other committee. However, Bean was granted a waiver by the Democratic leadership.