* Is he running for Congress or just paying off old debt? That’s the big question here…
State Sen. Chris Lauzen R-Aurora is considering a run against former Congressman Bill Foster in Illinois’ newly drawn 11th Congressional District.
In an undated fundraising letter, Lauzen invites supporters to a Summer Night in Chicago on Friday at the Union League Club featuring U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, R-McHenry.
“Someday, if my neighbors agree, I hope to enter the national debate in Congress,” Lauzen’s fundraising letter states.
“The first requirement is for me to raise $150,000. It’s a gruesome amount of money, but it represents only a down payment against the millions that Foster has already spent and will spend to win.”
Lauzen says he still has about $135K in old federal debt from his 2008 congressional bid…
“No matter what I do in my future, I have to pay back for the past,” Lauzen said. “I’m saying I’m exploring it [a congressional run] but if there is any future opportunity, I have to take care of that past obligation.”
It’s possible that Judy Biggert could run in the 11th, which would set up an interesting primary if Lauzen decides to get into the race. Lauzen, however, is also looking at running for Kane County Board Chairman. He says he’ll make his announcement at his annual fundraiser on August 13th.
* Meanwhile, state Rep. Karen Yarbrough wants to be slated for countywide office…
State Rep. Karen Yarbrough, whose 7th District includes Forest Park, confirmed that she is planning to run for the Cook County recorder of deeds when the 2012 election rolls around.
Yarbrough told the Forest Park Review on Friday that she is looking to be slated by the Cook County Democratic Party as a candidate for the office, which has been held by Gene Moore since 1999. Yarbrough, a 10-year state representative, sits on the executive board of the county’s Democratic Party; but a party representative would not confirm Yarbrough was being considered.
“It’s certainly a rumor,” said Kelley Quinn, a spokeswoman for the county’s party. “Everybody will be heard and considered.”
Quinn said it was way too early to be thinking about slating and noted the process doesn’t even begin until October. […]
Furthermore, rumors have circulated that Moore will be retiring, although his office did not return calls for confirmation. Yarbough said it was her understanding that he would be leaving the position. His Maywood home is currently under foreclosure and he owes some $78,000 in back payments the Chicago Tribune reported last month.
* I was talking with a Republican last night about the paucity of potentially strong Democratic candidates to run against GOP Congressman Tim Johnson in the newly redrawn 13th District. That the DCCC is apparently recruiting a candidate from tiny Greene County seems a bit odd…
Greene County State’s Attorney MATT GOETTEN is looking at a possible a run for the U.S. House in the new 13th Congressional District, which includes much of Springfield.
Goetten, a Democrat, said he hadn’t been considering a run until he was contacted by someone from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee within the last couple of weeks.
Now, said Goetten, 39, of rural Carrollton, “I have been giving it some serious consideration.”
Goetten comes from a politically involved family. A younger brother, BENJAMIN GOETTEN, is Jersey County state’s attorney, and their father, NORB GOETTEN, was not only Greene County state’s attorney from 1972 to 1991, but director of the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor from 1991 to 2008. He continues to practice law.
* A Washington Post blogger has christened Congressman Danny Davis’ new district as the “Beavis eating pizza” district…
Heh.
* Related…
* 2nd Illinois congressmen says he’ll vote against debt deal
* WHIP COUNT: House leaders in both parties seek votes to pass debt-limit deal
* Joe Walsh, Jesse Jackson Jr., Luis Gutierrez, Randy Hultgren: On the default deadlocked Congress
* UAW endorses Koehler in 17th District race
* If Yarbrough moves up, area pols line up for 7th District seat - Village commissioner and Proviso school board president
* Redistricting no mystery to General Assembly scientist
- 47th Ward - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 2:03 pm:
Heh heh, pizza district, heh heh. Are you threatening me?
—
After watching the debate on the debt ceiling very closely over the past several weeks, I can say with certainty that the last person we need “to enter the national debate in Congress,” is Chris Lauzen. I hope his neighbors tell him no again.
- Ryan from Carrollton - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 2:09 pm:
Rich, nothing is outside the realm of possibility. Henry T. Rainey was Speaker of the House in the late 1920s/early 30s and he lived on the east side of Carrollton across from the fairgrounds.
- a tad pole - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 2:11 pm:
What is up with Recorder of Deeds? Is that a jumping off point for higher office? I don’t get it.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 2:14 pm:
===Is that a jumping off point for higher office? ===
See: Carol Moseley Braun and Jesse White.
- Chester J. Lampwick - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 2:16 pm:
Lauzen played a big role in getting Randy Hultgren into the 14th race, and ultimately elected, over Ethan Hastert and Foster. If he is now holding a fundraiser with Walsh, it seems like he is supporting Walsh over Hultgren in the new 14th.
Also, I say the 7th looks like a crab.
- just sayin' - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 2:31 pm:
County Bd or Congress, I’m all in favor of Lauzen taking his ineffectiveness and martyr schtick elsewhere. Sure, mix it up a little, why not. Retirement would be even better.
By the way, who writes a sentence like this, “It’s a gruesome amount of money.” “Gruesome?” Seriously? So weird.
- Happy Returns - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 2:51 pm:
“Beavis eating pizza”- there’s a timely reference. Almost like product placement for the boy’s return to empty-vee…
I have to strain to see it, but the resemblance is there. You have to admit that level of gerrymander work is a sho
- E Pluribus - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 3:19 pm:
So the holier-than-thou Chris Lauzen CPA! is thirsting for another political office to run for. He’s been as effective as Cubs relief pitching in Springfield and he wants to take that record to new heights.
It would be great to see Chris try to run something like a large county, where he would have to work cooperatively with others, not just pontificate and scold people. Pity the people of Kane County if he chooses that office.
Pity America if he can get into Congress.
- Boone Logan Square - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 3:39 pm:
If I had a six-figure campaign debt, I’d call $150K gruesome.
- MikeP - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 3:52 pm:
I will bet his campaign debt that Lauzen’s fundraising letter is only a cynical and disingenuous ploy to raise federal funds to retire his debt. He’s going to run for Kane Co. Bd. Chairman.
Of course if anyone he didn’t like was doing this he would be “appalled” and “seriously disappointed” and other holier-than-thou sentiments.
Perhaps he should return the funds if he does not run for Congress… think it unlikely.
- so... - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 4:09 pm:
==Lauzen played a big role in getting Randy Hultgren into the 14th race, and ultimately elected, over Ethan Hastert and Foster. If he is now holding a fundraiser with Walsh, it seems like he is supporting Walsh over Hultgren in the new 14th.==
I think Lauzen’s support for Hultgren was more a factor of his hatred for Hastert than his love for Hultgren.
Walsh is definitely closer to Lauzen in terms of politics and especially temperament.
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 6:13 pm:
Frerichs is out for the 13th, perennial candidate David Gill is running again (he also ran in ‘04, ‘06, and last year), some attorney with law license problems hedged on the race, but Jay Hoffman said he may run for the seat. Any news on that front? I know he is also considering running against Dwight Kay again.
- too obvious - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 7:11 pm:
“Walsh is definitely closer to Lauzen in terms of politics and especially temperament.”
Very true. In fact they look a bit alike and have very similar mannerisms. Both can fly off the handle at the drop of a hat. Both are extremely self centered. Both are polarizing and have divisive personalities.
But if they are in fact long lost brothers I would say Walsh is the sane one. I know. Scary.
- wordslinger - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 8:50 pm:
Lauzen and Walsh in nasty old Chicago, and the Union League Club no less? I’d advise the club to take cash on the barrel.
- too obvious - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 9:43 pm:
One more similarity. Both Walsh and Lauzen will not be in Congress in 2013.
- OneMan - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 10:26 pm:
So far I have not heard a lot of GOP names bubble up, (still waiting to see if a Laesch challenges Foster) if he declared a truce with Oberweis where Jim runs for county board chair and Chris runs for congress it could be interesting.
I think without a name or big money play it would be Chris’ to lose and I am not sure Foster will have the same luck this time ( a lot of that district is new for him) also Lauzen sounds a lot more rational than Walsh if you ask me.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 1, 11 @ 11:31 pm:
===and the Union League Club no less?===
All it takes is money.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Aug 2, 11 @ 7:12 am:
Funny I got the invite to the porky picnic but not the union league thing…
- Pink Girl - Tuesday, Aug 2, 11 @ 10:08 am:
@OneMan, seems the Laesch’s may be backing Juan Thomas in the 11th.