Former Aurora alderman drops congressional bid

AURORA -- As the race for Congress in the 14th District continues to heat up, one candidate has decided to get out of the kitchen.

Former Aurora alderman Bill Cross announced Monday that he will withdraw his candidacy in the Republican primary election in February.

He said the deciding factor for him was the entrance into the race of two other Republican candidates, businessman Jim Purcell and State Sen. Randy Hultgren.

"The main thing is to remove (Rep. Bill) Foster," Cross said. "If someone with a resume wants to do that, then that takes the responsibility off of me."

Both Hultgren and Purcell announced their campaigns in the past few weeks.

They join a growing list of Republicans lining up to challenge Geneva Democrat Foster, including Ethan Hastert, son of former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert; Mark Vargas of Elgin; and Jeff Danklefsen of Geneva.

Democrat Jim Pistorius of Aurora has thrown his hat into the ring as well.

The 42-year-old Cross, now a businessman in Shabbona, said he will be supporting either Hultgren or Purcell. And he'll enjoy sitting out the race.

"I'd rather be spending my Sundays watching Bears games with my kids than knocking on doors," he said.