Roskam, Fitzgerald join McCain in Illinois

By Jim Tankersley

Sen. John McCain has added a congressman and a former senator to his Illinois leadership team in his run for president, his campaign announced today.

McCain's latest Land of Lincoln supporters are freshman Rep. Peter Roskam and former Sen. Peter Fitzgerald. They join Reps. Ray LaHood, John Shimkus and Mark Kirk, along with several state legislators.

Illinois' congressional Republicans are split several ways in the wide-open GOP primary. Reps. Jerry Weller and Judy Biggert are backing former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Former Speaker Dennis Hastert has endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Rep. Don Manzullo is backing former Sen. Fred Thompson. The lone uncommitted in the GOP delegation is Rep. Tim Johnson.

From the release:

"John McCain's lifetime of service and sacrifice proves that he understands what it means to put the interests of the nation before his own self interest," said Congressman Peter Roskam. "He is the best candidate we can run to defeat Hillary Clinton."

Former Senator Peter Fitzgerald commended McCain saying, "John has shown unquestionable courage throughout his career in the Navy and in Congress. The experience that he has gained and the leadership he has shown throughout his lifetime is what it will take to meet the challenges we face as a nation, as well as the challenges our party will face in November. John can keep the Reagan coalition strong and beat the Democratic nominee."

Read on for the full announcement from McCain's camp.

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced additions to its Illinois Leadership team, Congressman Peter Roskam and former Senator Peter Fitzgerald. Representative Jim Durkin and Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson will continue to serve as co-chairs for John McCain 2008 in Illinois. The campaign is also proud to announce that John McCain 2008 has filled its entire slate of delegates in the state of Illinois.
"John McCain's lifetime of service and sacrifice proves that he understands what it means to put the interests of the nation before his own self interest," said Congressman Peter Roskam. "He is the best candidate we can run to defeat Hillary Clinton."

Former Senator Peter Fitzgerald commended McCain saying, "John has shown unquestionable courage throughout his career in the Navy and in Congress. The experience that he has gained and the leadership he has shown throughout his lifetime is what it will take to meet the challenges we face as a nation, as well as the challenges our party will face in November. John can keep the Reagan coalition strong and beat the Democratic nominee."

State campaign co-chair, Representative Jim Durkin added, "I am proud to join an impressive group of Illinois leaders in endorsing John McCain because he is the candidate best equipped to win the general election and lead our country in these difficult times."

John McCain thanked the leadership team and the delegates, stating, "I am proud of the support I have received from so many distinguished community members across Illinois. I look forward to their counsel as we continue to build my grassroots organization in the state and across the country."

The campaign is pleased to announce the following elected officials and delegates in support of John McCain:

ILLINOIS LEADERSHIP TEAM

U.S. Congressmen

Rep. Mark Kirk
Rep. Ray LaHood
Rep. Peter Roskam
Rep. John Schimkus

Former U.S. Senator

Sen. Peter Fitzgerald

State Senators

Sen. Dan Cronin
Sen. Kirk Dillard
Sen. John Jones
Sen. Dave Luechtefeld
Sen. John Millner
Sen. Dale Risinger
Sen. Frank Watson

State Representatives

Rep. Dan Brady
Rep. Jim Durkin
Rep. Mike Fortner
Rep. Sid Mathias
Rep. Mike McAuliffe
Rep. Jim Meyer
Rep. Rosemary Mulligan
Rep. JoAnn Osmond
Rep. Raymond Poe
Rep. Randy Ramey
Rep. Jim Sacia
Rep. Jil Tracy
Rep. Jim Watson

Republican National Committeewoman Mary Jo Arndt
Major General John Borling, USAF (Ret).
Former Ambassador and Former Illinois Republican Party Chair Rich Williamson

ILLINOIS DELEGATES

Gregg Abbott
Helen Albert
Mike Amrozowicz
Mayor Jim Ardis
John Atchley
Kirby Ballard
Joe Bartolomucci
Tony Becker
Harry Bond
Maj. Gen. John Borling -
Scott Boukal
Rep. Daniel P. Brady
Julie Brady
Kevin Brady
Mary Jane Brady
Will Callard
Dean A. Casper, Jr.
Mayor Thomas Tolbert Chisum
Vincent P. Churak
Robert Cook
Michael Corrigan
James L. Coxworth
Sen. Dan Cronin
Larry DeYoung
Sen. Kirk Dillard
Richard E. Diller
Mary Pat Dixon
William Durkin
Rep. Jim Durkin
Barbara Dwyer
Deb Detmers Fansler
Bobby Vaughan Ferguson
Joann Finger
John Fogarty, Jr.
Rep. Mike Fortner
Jim Fuchs
Susan Gere
Kimberly Pate Godden
Gustavo Gonzalez
Joyce Gooding
Thomas Gooding
William S. Graham
Kent Gray
Mike Hagerty
Donald B. Hall -
J. Sue Hamilton
John Harty
Thomas Hayes
Sean Healy
William L. Henniger
Herbert Hentschel
Roy Hertel
Nora Kathleen Hickey
Stephanie Hitt
Damon Hofstrand
Mark Hosty
Robert Hudon
Bill Jacklin
David A. Kelm
Virginia Kenney
Pam Kinsey
U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood
Nadja Lalvani
Prem Lalvani
Pastor Ceasar LeFlore
Stephen Liehr
Cindy Limbach
Andrew Loveday
Alex Martella
Rilio Mastrantonio
Rep. Sidney Mathias
Karen Matjasko
Matthew Mau
John McCrory
Tom McRae
Margaret McSweeney
Ann Melichar
Rep. James Meyer
Mary Jo Mikottis
Jack Murphy
Tim O'Neill
Rep. Joann Osmond
Ray Pawlak
Nick Peric
Rep. Raymond Poe
Dennis Presley
William Read
Nate Rice
James A. Riemer, Jr.
Wayne Rosenthal
Carlos Saucedo
Lisa Schumacher
John Scully
William G. Shepherd
Det. Larry Shepherd
U.S. Rep. John M. Shimkus
Karen Slattery
Michael Sneed
Jason Speer
David Stanton
Nina Stephenson
Eugene Syring
Steven Tomaszewski
Mayor Bruce Tossell
Rep. Jil Tracy
Mayor Henry Vicenik
Charlie Watts
Becky Weber
Mary A. Welling
Ambassador Rich Williamson
Alderman Elmo R. Younger, Veteran of WWII

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