Genevan to run as GOP contender for 14th District

A Geneva man has declared his intention to run in the GOP primary for the 14th Congressional District seat held by Democratic Rep. Bill Foster.

Jeff Danklefsen, 41, said this week he was disappointed with a lack of Republican candidates in the 2008 special election and wants to give voters an alternative fiscal and social conservative choice. Businessman Jim Oberweis and state Sen. Chris Lauzen were the lone GOP candidates last year, while five Democrats squared off.

A 12-year resident of Geneva, Danklefsen works as a maintenance manager for a St. Charles property management company.

Danklefsen had strong words for fellow Republican Ethan Hastert, the son of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who announced in June he planned to run for his father's old post.

"I think people are going to demand more than the status quo," Danklefsen said. "I don't think the Republicans respond well to nepotism."

The winner of a Republican primary likely would face off against Foster, who has occupied the seat since defeating Oberweis in both a special election and regular election in 2008.

A representative from Foster's office confirmed Tuesday that Foster intends to run for re-election but is concentrating on representing the vast district right now. The district stretches from the Fox Valley west to the Mississippi River.

Danklefsen said he does not agree with many of Foster's views and believes the congressional freshman is vulnerable in the 2010 election.

Although he does not have a background in politics, Danklefsen said he served as master of ceremonies for the recent Kane County Taxpayer Tea Party.