Laesch asks for recount in Democratic primary

Citing "different" issues across 56 precincts in the 14th Congressional District, John Laesch is asking for recounts in his close Democratic primary election loss to Bill Foster.

Laesch and attorney Richard Means declined to talk specifics about the discovery recount petitions filed Friday, deferring until after today's special election between Foster and Republican Jim Oberweis. Speaking generally, Laesch described the problems as "something different everywhere."

The formal recount request coincided with the State Board of Elections certifying the results Friday that show Foster with a 398-vote win in the primary election, to determine who will have the spot on the Democratic ballot in the November election.

"It is the first opportunity to file these petitions," Laesch said. "I think anybody in my position would do the same thing."

Election officials in Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, Lee and Whiteside counties, as well as the Aurora Election Commission, are being asked to conduct the recount, which cost Laesch $560 to request, on Tuesday. Laesch has also filed a Freedom of Information request seeking detailed information about, among other things, missing election materials, names and background information of employees who handed those items and details about "failed memory cards" associated with vote tabulations.

Since the primaries, Laesch stood firm in not conceding the regular primary to Foster, instead putting out the call for every vote to be counted.

Laesch's challenge focuses only on the primary that determined a Democratic nominee for the November general election, and has no bearing on today's special election between Foster and Oberweis. The winner today will serve the remainder of retired U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert's term, through January 2009. The winner in November will become the district's new congressman, starting in January 2009.