The 10th congressional district spawned one of the largest fields of candidates within this year’s primary election, with five candidates vying for the chance to contest the seat held by first-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth).

As seen in the 8th congressional district, Democrats are hopeful the state’s redistricting effort last year will afford them an advantage against Dold, as the area now includes more Democratic voters.

Among the crowded field in today's primary election, the two apparent front runners, Brad Schneider of Deerfield, and Ilya Sheyman of Waukegan, garnered most of the attention, with the two campaigns seemingly at odds with one another. Sheyman accused the management consultant of donating to Republican candidates in the past and questioned a campaign flyer by Schneider that arguably hinted an endorsement by President Barack Obama.

Sheyman, an activist who garnered support from progressive groups such as MoveOn.org, spent the afternoon canvassing door-to-door in the Buffalo Grove neighborhood near where his parents resided.

Earlier today he told Progress Illinois that he felt it was time for the district and Washington to have a fresh, unashamed progressive voice.

Schneider spent half the day working the phone banks at his Northbrook headquarters, reminding constituents to get out and vote.  He told Progress Illinois that the campaign has been for the most part a good experience and that he has learned valuable lessons and developed many relationships with people along the way.  

Here's more from our sit-down conversation with Schneider at his campaign office:

Hoping to capitalize on the discord between the two frontrunners, candidate and Air Force Reserve Col. John Tree, of Long Grove, said in a phone interview he felt he was the only candidate capable of bringing the two factions together in a bid to defeat Dold.

“The whole strength of my candidacy is that I beat Robert Dold in the fall because I can appeal to the progressive left and also to the independent middle,” Tree said. “If I become the nominee it will be because the other two guys, Brad and Ilya, have just ripped each other to shreds and people have gotten tired of the negativity.”

Mundelein attorney Vivek Bavda and Aloys Rutagwibira, of Hainseville, also ran in the 10th congressional district race for the Democratic primary nomination. Neither candidate could be reached for comment.

A couple of hours ago, Sheyman conceded to Schneider.

“Brad has run a spirited campaign over these past 12 months, and will need all our help to defeat Congressman Dold in November,” Sheyman said in a press release. “I’ll stand strongly behind him to take back the 10th Congressional District for the Democrats for the first time in 32 years.”