The photo sent from the Kevin Burns campaign for Kane County chairman shows county auditor candidate Laura Wallet, coroner candidate Rob Russell, 33rd State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay and a smiling U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren on a Huntley constituent’s porch.
They were campaigning together Jan. 28 for the March 20 primary and all got a ride on Burns’ campaign bus back to their cars, Burns said.
And the news release from the Burns campaign stated that Hultgren told voters Burns was “the best candidate for this important office” of county board chairman. Burns is currently Geneva’s mayor.
Then this weekend, Hultgren, R-Winfield, endorsed Burns’ opponent, State Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora, at Lauzen’s winter barbecue fundraiser on Saturday.
The endorsement caused a bit of a dust-up, as Burns said he was “taken aback” by the apparent about-face. But according to Lauzen, there is no about-face. Lauzen disputes that Hultgren said anything like Burns was the “right man for the job,” which the release claimed Hultgren had said.
“While I respect Randy’s right to do what he wants,” said Burns, “I was obviously taken aback by this action. It was only last week he told voters we encountered in Huntley that I was ‘the right man for the job,’ so you can understand my surprise when I read the news.”
According to Burns, Hultgren did not contact him to tell him about his switch until late this afternoon. “I spoke with Randy, and he said, ‘I hate doing this. I absolutely hate it. This sucks.’ ”
* It’s not inconceivable to think that a highly contentious Daily Herald editorial board interview of both the candidates might also have played a role…
By including a statement that he [Lauzen] is a pro-life, pro-marriage candidate who supports, “honest, competent administration,” the gloves came off.
“Chris obviously hates homosexuals, is afraid of women and believes that only he has the answers to everything,” Burns said. “That’s sad.”
“Are you joking?” Lauzen responded.
“No, I’m not joking,” Burns replied. “I’m dead, fricking serious.”
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. said Monday that he did not violate House ethics rules when he had a longtime friend and fundraiser buy a plane ticket for a woman who had a secret relationship with the congressman.
Jackson likewise defended his actions amid an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that the same fundraiser was part of a scheme to raise $1 million for convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in return for the governor appointing Jackson to the U.S. Senate.
The 17-year congressman’s remarks came during an often contentious appearance before the Chicago Tribune editorial board with his March 20 Democratic primary opponent, former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson, who said the House investigation was keeping Jackson from doing his job.
Jackson’s response to the ethics concerns raised new questions when he was asked about his extramarital relationship. He noted he had apologized to “my absolute best friend, my wife,” Ald. Sandi Jackson, 7th.
Jackson apparently interrupted Halorson during the debate and she scolded him for it…
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* And Republican Congressman Don Manzullo has a new TV ad. Rate it…
* And here’s a ScribbleLive feed. I’ll post some background stories in a minute or two for those of you who need to get up to speed on the issue. Blackberry users click here…
