Oberweis thinking about state Senate
Friday, Aug 5, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* He can’t stay away…
Jim Oberweis said he would not seek the Republican nomination for Kane County Board chairman in 2012, but he is eyeing a run for the 25th State Senatorial District. […]
“I have a number of people encouraging me for the senate in the 25th District,” Oberweis said, referring to the seat currently held by State Sen. Chris Lauzen R-Aurora since 1992. “I am taking that very seriously. I suspect he [Lauzen] is not going to run for re-election.”
Oberweis said he would decide in a couple of weeks.
Lauzen himself is pondering whether to run for re-election, county board chairman or congress against former Congressman Bill Foster in the newly drawn 11th Congressional District.
Think of the nose-diving career expectations here. He ran for US Senate in 2002 and 2004 and lost the primary both times. He lost the GOP primary for governor in 2006. Then he lost two congressional bids in 2008 (a special and a general). Now he’s thinking about state Senate?
Man, that would be weird having him down here. Interesting, for sure, but weird.
- anon - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:18 pm:
he makes great milk and ice cream. politics and government…not so much.
- The Captain - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:23 pm:
What if it turns out he ends up being the most fun person to ever step foot in Boones? I just blew your mind.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:24 pm:
I’ve been to a bar with him. He ain’t that fun.
- K3_Spfld_Chi - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:31 pm:
You are correct Rich . . .he isn’t much fun . . . but is Lauzen? Those are some smalls shoes to fill.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:36 pm:
“I have a number of people encouraging me for the senate in the 25th District,”
Has anyone ever considering a run NOT said something similar? Pretty sure these people are outnumbered by the ones that never want him to show his face again. To this day I still won’t set foot in his stores because I don’t want to encourage him.
- Chester J. Lampwick - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:49 pm:
Interesting round of musical chairs in Kane County between Oberweis, Lauzen, Karen McConnaughay, and Kevin Burns. This had to have been planned.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:52 pm:
===This had to have been planned. ===
LOL
Considering how much Lauzen hates Oberweis and vicey versey, and considering how much Lauzen and McConnaughay don’t get along, I can’t possibly see how this was planned in the least.
- Whatever - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:52 pm:
Ron — agreed! I don’t know who these unnamed people are that keep “encouraging” Oberweis to run, but if they really exist, they need to shut up.
- Bluefish - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:57 pm:
I wonder if those unnamed people are former campaign staff. He was a steady paycheck for them until he sat out last year.
- Cincinnatus - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:57 pm:
God, please no…
- Chester J. Lampwick - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:59 pm:
Maybe I’m giving them too much credit, but I would think that if everyone is getting something they want then something could be worked out.
Lauzen gets a run for Congress. Oberweis gets to actually be an elected official. Karen gets to go to Springfield. Burns gets to be County Chairman. Like I said though, maybe I’m giving them too much credit.
- Tom B. - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:59 pm:
One of my all time favorite commercials.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA2VWQprHjE
You know, Saul Shorr did this ad. He also did Dan Hynes’ Harold Washington one, which folks can certainly disagree on effectiveness, but it sure got attention.
Go ahead Jim, run. I need some entertainment.
- soccermom - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:08 pm:
I am delighted at the prospect of once again hearing references to the Abominable Milkman.
- Anonymous - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:08 pm:
Good for you, Jim. I think you and Julie should go for it.
- Anonymous - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:11 pm:
lol I suppose if you’re looking for “fun” on the R side, it would have to be our little “rock stars”, wouldn’t it? And oh, the fun they have. Thank goodness there are only a few of them.
- OneMan - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:14 pm:
The idea that Luazen, Oberweis,McConnaughy and Burns could agree on anything at all, no less agree on this, is about as likely as The Cubs going all the way this season.
- just sayin' - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:16 pm:
Fire up the black helicopter! It’s time again for Jim!
In all seriousness, the gop and the state would be better off if both Lauzen and Oberweis got out of politics for good.
- Anonymous - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:21 pm:
Just to clarify, when I was referring to “little rock stars”, I was not referring to our YRs. I was referring to some of the adults.
- Bring Back Boone's - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:33 pm:
Which salivating consultant whispered in his ear? My money is on Phil Molfese.
- Jimmy CrackCorn - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:40 pm:
The only foreseeable end to the “nose-dive”…
August, 2017
“I have a number of people encouraging me for the Kane County Coroner,” Oberweis said.
- MikeP - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:44 pm:
While I think Oberweis running for state Senate is a terrible idea (just stop running), he would be A LOT better than Lauzen. Kind of like when it warms up from -8 degrees to 5 degrees in Feb.
- just sayin' - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:47 pm:
Dateline 2016. Illinois now boasts most obese legislature after over indulgence in free Poe barbeque and Oberweis ice cream. Illinois, which had been in 2nd place, now surpasses Louisiana.
“It’s great that Illinois is finally first in something,” beamed a proud Jim Oberweis. “Try one of our new Turtles?”
- Wumpus - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:53 pm:
Smart, run for something you can actually win BiPolarweis ™
- MrJM - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:59 pm:
The IL-GOP Presents: The Return of the Ice Cream Headache
– MrJM
- sal-says - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 3:16 pm:
Another perennial candidate? Starting to remind me of Lar “America First” Daly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Joseph_Sarsfield_Daly
- Aldyth - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 3:20 pm:
This is a man who badly needs another hobby.
- railrat - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 3:38 pm:
Can’t we find an office that NOBODY else is running for so Obie can FINALLY win one Sheesh..
- train111 - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 3:53 pm:
Gee I live in what will be a part of the new 25th Senate District. From Tom Johnson to Lauzen is a step down in my opinion, but Oberweis sure could make things entertaining out here next year!!
train111
- don - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 4:30 pm:
How much weirder could Springfield be?
- Boone Logan Square - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 4:38 pm:
He could commute to the Capitol via helicopter.
- Someone in the 25th - Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 4:46 pm:
Maybe they’re not people that are encouraging him, but voices. He’s the only one who hears them. Now that makes the whole mess even more scary!