Kirk and Dold Among Top 5 GOP Politicians That Betray Their Party Most

Illinois’ U.S. Senator Mark Kirk and Congressman Bob Dold – both from Chicago’s northern suburbs – were two Republicans that were among those that don’t vote along party lines, a Washington Post analysis found Thursday.

While Kirk was the third most in contradiction to Republican caucus votes with nearly 20 percent in opposition, Congressman Bob Dold voted six out of seven times against the Republican position in crucial, close votes.

The Dold campaign boasted about the WaPo findings, saying, “Rep. Dold bucked his own party six times, leading the way when it comes to maintaining independence under pressure.”

Then they pointed to the district’s former congressman – Brad Schneider.

“After two years of ineffective and rabidly partisan representation under Brad Schneider, voters sent Bob Dold to Congress last fall to restore serious, independent leadership to the 10th District—and that’s precisely what he’s done,” Dold campaign spokeswoman Danielle Hagen said.

On the Democrat side, Illinois Congressman Dan Lipinski was listed as one that often votes differently than his party’s official position.