Hastert endorses Oberweis
AURORA -- As expected, former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert on Thursday morning endorsed Aurora businessman Jim Oberweis in his bid to succeed him as congressman.
Speaking briefly at a press conference at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Aurora, Hastert said that while the slate of candidates hoping to succeed him in the 14th Congressional District is a good one, "for me, the choice is clear."
(Marianne Mather/Staff Photographer)
• Hastert running for precinct seat
• Kevin Burns bows out of U.S. House race
Hastert praised Oberweis' integrity and conservative philosophy, and said the dairy magnate's successful business shows he "knows how to lead." Hastert noted that in his nearly 21 years as a member of the U.S. House, he has seen many people who "talk and posture" instead of working to get things done.
"I think if we send (Oberweis) to Washington, he will get things done," Hastert said.
Hastert announced his intention to endorse in this race last month, shortly after resigning from Congress after nearly 11 terms in office.
Oberweis said Thursday he was "deeply humbled" to receive the former speaker's endorsement.
"I am greatly honored, and I will do everything I can to live up to the expectations that Denny Hastert has set," Oberweis said.
Hastert's comments Thursday are a far cry from his criticisms of Oberweis in 2004, regarding the Auroran's failed run for the Senate in 2002. Despite offering his endorsement two years earlier, Hastert in 2004 expressed his disappointment in Oberweis' hard-line stance on immigration.
But Thursday morning, Hastert said his reservations about Oberweis were more about the tone of his campaign than the substance, and he affirmed that his views on immigration reform line up with those Oberweis has put forth this year.
With Thursday's exit of Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns from the race, Oberweis is now one of three Republicans vying for the nomination in the 14th District. The continuing absence of any campaign by Evanston resident Michael Dilger essentially makes it a two-man race between Oberweis and State Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora.
Burns did not immediately throw support to either candidate, instead saying he would follow the race and register his choice, like most voters, during the dual primary elections on Feb. 5.
Lauzen on Thursday said Hastert's endorsement of Oberweis "crystallizes what the campaign is about: big money and big insider establishment clout versus the rest of us in the grass roots."
Lauzen called the endorsement "good for Oberweis, but bad for the people, and bad for unity in the Republican Party." Hastert's resignation last month triggered a special election to fill his term until the end of 2009. The special primary will be on the same day as the general primary, Feb. 5.
