Steve Greenberg (Illinois)

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Steve Greenberg is a businessman, former professional hockey player, and is the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress in Illinois' 8th congressional district challenging incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean.

Greenberg is a former professional hockey player who played several years for the Hampton Roads Admirals, a Washington Capitals affiliated minor league team. ^[1]

After an injury ended his hockey career he took a job with his family's company, Promotions Unlimited, where he headed up the sales department. While he was in charge of sales Promotions Unlimited saw its greatest period of growth. He is also the owner of Herr's Pacific, which distributes art supplies and craft materials. ^[1]

Greenberg was recruited by the national Republicans to run against either Congresswoman Bean or Senator Dick Durbin. He ultimately chose to run against Bean after determining that running for and serving in the Senate would put too great a strain on his family.^[2] He is supported by the NRCC and is one the first of beneficiaries of a special fund-raising program called "CHOMP" (Challengers Helping Obtain the Majority Program) fund-raising program. ^[3]

Greenberg has served as a member of the Illinois Republican Party Finance Committee and as a Republican Precinct Committeeman.

Steve Greenberg lives in Long Grove, Illinois with his wife Kristine and their three children.

Greenberg recently announced that he has only $5,000 in campaign funds while his opponent, Melissa Bean, has $1.3 million on hand. This, combined with the departure of much of his campaign staff led Rothenberg political reports to change the race from "lean Democrat" to "Democrat favored". ^[4] However, this was quickly followed with a restaffing of the campaign ^[5] and a single event raising over $175,000. ^[6]