Seth Cohen
Seth grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and attended Aldai E. Stevenson High School. At 19 years old, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served with 2d Tank Battalion 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as a radio operator (0621). He thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Marines, but after being accepted to the University of Chicago, he was honorably discharged as a sergeant after 4 years of active duty service (2016 to 2020). Seth continued his service for a few years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve with 2d Battalion 24th Marines at Fort Sheridan, Illinois (2022 to 2024).
Seth attended the University of Chicago from 2020 to 2024, and received a Bachelor of Arts in economics with a specialization in business and a minor in history. While on campus, he was involved in several student organizations and institutions such as The Blue Chips value investing club, Student Veterans of America, and the Institute of Politics. Additionally, Seth participated in intramural sports and was a 2x flag football champion. Everyday Seth woke up thrilled for the privilege of attending his dream school.
As an undergrad, Seth co-founded Chicago Brigade (CB), a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to ensuring every student veteran in the nation obtains a career which facilitates financial freedom for them and their families. So far, CB has impacted 400+ student veterans working with Fortune 500 companies and Chicagolands most prestigious colleges and universities. CB is growing to become Chicagolands premier student veteran organization.
In July 2020 Seth met Kaley Baker and they were married in Winnetka, Illinois, on September 2nd, 2021. Both practicing orthodox Jews, they observe the Jewish sabbath and keep all Jewish holy days, attending services at Or Torah of Skokie, the Skokie Community Kollel, or BAY Shul of Buffalo Grove. Kaley gave birth to their first child, Annette Sarah “Annie,” on Valentine’s Day 2024.
The Mission
Interested in running for political office from a young age, Seth took up the challenge after seeing the need for new leadership and vision for the 9th Congressional District of Illinois. Tragically, gerrymandering by the State Legislature has facilitated Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s 25 year stint in the US Congress, since Seth was 2 years old, from 1999 to now. Though Seth has the greatest respect for the Congresswoman and her service to our country, it is imperative that new leadership is elected.
Though Seth is a conservative, he truly believes in the power of coalition building and finding common ground. A key ingredient for his campaign is reaching out to new groups of voters Republican candidates historically failed to engage with, un-alienating those Americans who could be persuaded to vote for change. This does not mean forfeiting values, but realizing teamwork is the key to a stronger and greater nation.
Winning the 9th Congressional District and ending decades of pessimism is the key mission of Seth’s campaign. He is looking forward to engaging with voters over the course of the next several months, proving he is the better candidate to represent the District in the United States Congress.