by Rick Pearson
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert has set Friday for his long-awaited announcement on whether he will seek re-election in Illinois' far west-suburban 14th Congressional District as potential GOP replacements have already begun lining up.
Hastert, 65, of Plano, is planning a morning announcement at the Kendall County Court House in Yorkville, according to a letter urging his longtime supporters to attend.
Already, current state Sen. Chris Lauzen of Aurora and dairy owner and investment manager Jim Oberweis have been courting the district's conservative voters and, more recently, Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns expressed interest in the GOP nomination amid the belief that Hastert will decide not to seek re-election.
The 20-year congressman and former high school wrestling coach is currently on an Asian trip and is not expected to return to Illinois until mid-week.
Though he lost his Republican House majority in last year's mid-term elections, Hastert continued to serve in the chamber and remained a vital part of Illinois' congressional delegation despite his vastly diminished power on the national stage.
Elected to the House in 1986 after six years in the Illinois legislature, Hastert was selected speaker in 1999 following the announcement by then-Rep. Bob Livingston (R-La.), the House speaker-elect, that he was stepping down after revelations about marital infidelities.
Several Democrats have also indicated interest in the seat, though the district still has strong Republican leanings.
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Comments
John Laesch would make a wonderful Representative for the 14th Congressional District.
He would go a long way towards cleaning up the stench left behind from Hastert's corruption.
Posted by: danny | August 13, 2007 5:34 PM
Corruption? I don't recall Speaker Hastert being charged or even implicated in any crime. You must be thinking of Blagojevich who is under federal investigation.
Posted by: Scott | August 13, 2007 6:27 PM
Maybe the Peotone Airport isn't so close to happening so the profits from his land deals he wanted to retire on will have to wait a little while longer.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | August 13, 2007 6:31 PM
Uh, Scott, Planet Denny Hastert is neck deep in the Abramoff morass. Certainly you haven't forgotten his corrupt boss, Tom Delay? Indicted Tom Delay, that is.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | August 13, 2007 6:54 PM
And obstructionist Lauzen would help maintain the image of the do-nothing Congress. The man has made a million promises, kept zero, and has never introduced a piece of meaningful legislation in Springfield. I can't wait to hear how he threatens Denny when Denny backs someone else.
Voters of the 14th District, don't be fooled by that smile and firm handshake. This is a man who once tried to change his legal name to Chris Lauzen, CPA.
Lauzen is nothing but a bully.
Posted by: El Kabong | August 13, 2007 6:55 PM
And yes, John Laesch would make a great Representative for the 14th. Now if we could only get someone to run against that piece of furniture, Judy Biggert.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | August 13, 2007 6:56 PM
"I DON'T RECALL"
NOTHING CHANGES, ONE YEAR LATER FORMER SPEAKER HASTERT LEAVES HIS "PRAIRIE PARKWAY" FOR A REBID IN THE GOP IN THE DARKEN DOORS OF DICK CHENEY AND GEORGE BUSH'S WHITE HOUSE.
I DON'T THINK THE BOEHNER GUY IS GOING TO LIKE THAT. AFTER ALL THEY DID TO SWEEP HIS (HASTERT) CRIME OF CORRUPTION AND HIS WEAK 25% APPROVAL RATINGS UNDER THE RUG.
IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR.
"CREW" CITIZENS RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON HAD THEIR SIGHTS ON HIS SEAT LONG BEFORE HIS "I CAN VOUCH FOR FOLEY" MOMENTS. YOU DON'T TELL ON ME AND I WON'T TELL THE BABYSITTER PARENTS YOU DIDN'T LET THEIR LITTLE BOY GO HOME LAST WEEKEND.
MELANIE, OH! MELANIE, OH WHERE OUT THOU MELANIE SLOAN?
DENNY'S GOT THE DIRT, SO MAYBE HE WILL BE BUSH'S NEXT PLEASE WRITE ME A NEW SPEECH GUY OR BETTER YET, MAYBE EVEN VICE PRESIDENT. SOMEONE HAS TO BE WILLING TO PARDON THE CONVICTED IF CONVICTED.
THERE ARE A LOT OF CONVICTIONS IN THE COOKIE JAR.
NEWT AND DENNY TWO PEAS IN A POD. BOTH SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, BOTH PART OF A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DURING A GOP MONOPOLIZED CONGRESS.
I THOUGHT THERE WAS ONLY ONE GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD. OH YEA, SCOOTER GOT IT.
SO THE SHAME CONTINUES TO WANDER THE HALLS OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE STEPS OF CONGRESS.
CAN THE REAL WEAKEST LINK PLEASE STEP FORWARD.
AIR FORCE ONE HAS ROOM FOR ONLY ONE MORE LOSER AND ONE MORE CRIMINAL.
PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT.
ALL ABOARD!
Posted by: Roger Morris | August 13, 2007 7:17 PM
Roger, please lose the CAPS. I'm going to just scroll through your comments if you persist. Thanks.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | August 13, 2007 9:51 PM
weinerdog43,
You notice ROGER MORRIS never references anything anyone else posts on.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 14, 2007 8:29 AM
Hastert went from being the Speaker of the House to sitting in the last row of the chamber. Something he highly deserves. He's a rubber stamp hack with very few independent thoughts or ideas. Furthermore he's corrupt and should be investigated for his links to the convicted federal felon, Jack Abramoff and his illegal land deal.
Hastert needs to go. He has infested his district for too long. He can be replaced by new blood-someone with an appetite to serve honestly and who has bright fresh ideas.
Posted by: Doug R. | August 14, 2007 9:53 AM
I remember watching this man speak a few years ago. His brow was sweaty and he was making eye contact with each and every person in the room. The way he licked his lips you could tell he was contemplating who he would eat first if it came down to it. This man is fat. I heard he ate 15 lbs of crab legs at the all you can eat buffet in the Capitol cafeteria.
Posted by: john | August 14, 2007 10:30 AM
He can be replaced by new blood-someone with an appetite to serve honestly and who has bright fresh ideas.
Posted by: Doug R. | August 14, 2007 9:53 AM
From the looks of him, Dennis Hastert has the biggest appetite in DC.
Posted by: jethro | August 14, 2007 10:39 AM
Hard to see him with any relevence in future politics. His only previous input was praising and agreeing to anything bush said or did. With bush gone, he'll be flournding like the whale he looks.
Posted by: Ken | August 14, 2007 11:35 AM
Lochness,
Peotone is about 60 miles from Plano.
Jethro,
I think Murtha would give him a run for the money at the buffet table.
Posted by: Terry | August 14, 2007 1:15 PM