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Durbin has his first GOP opponent * Updated x1 *

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Durbin

This was covered elsewhere in the blogosphere last week, but now it’s official. From a press release…

Steve Sauerberg M.D., a 54-year-old successful family practice physician based in La Grange, Illinois, has entered the Republican primary for the United States Senate seat, currently held by Democrat Dick Durbin.

“ A lifetime of serving others translates well to curing what is wrong with career politician Dick Durbin and his out-of-touch liberal values,” said Sauerberg. “We need to cut taxes to help families and create jobs, cut wasteful pork barrel spending, oppose efforts to reward illegal immigrants with citizenship and taxpayer benefits, and we must develop alternative energy sources including bio-fuels to ensure both energy independence and our national security, while also providing affordable top quality healthcare for all our citizens.”

A loving husband, father of two, and life-long family care physician, Dr. Sauerberg has built one of the largest family medical practices in the western suburbs of Chicago. Steve is also a former medical school teacher, little league coach and was recently chosen to serve on the MacMurray College Board of Trustees, his alma mater. Steve graduated from MacMurray College, located in Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1975 and later graduated the Chicago-based Rush Medical College in 1977. He opened his own medical practice in 1985, which he still maintains today.

Earlier this year, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin was rated the most liberal senator in the country by the National Journal, a respected non-partisan Washington publication.

“It’s troubling how non-partisan sources document that Durbin is the most liberal member of the United States Senate, a real liberal’s liberal. Dick Durbin does not represent our Illinois values,” added Sauerberg. “We need to bring real-life common sense to the national debate so we can find solutions and get results for the taxpayers, families, and seniors of Illinois. I believe I can be that voice and best serve the residents of Illinois here at home and in Washington, D.C.”

*** UPDATE *** Krol has more at Animal Farm…

Sauerberg is getting a late start in what promises to be an expensive race. He said he plans to put some of his own money into the contest, but “not enough to make any difference.” […]

As is common with doctors, a quick check of court filings show Sauerberg has been sued a few times for malpractice, but no details were readily available Monday. […]

Sauerberg has hired Campbell & Campbell as his general consultant. Mark Campbell, who owns the firm with his wife Eva, is political director for former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giu-liani’s campaign.

Sauerberg’s lone staff member so far is Patrick Carl-son, who worked as local po-litical director for former Speaker Dennis Hastert for six years and then on Judy Baar Topinka’s governor campaign last year.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 14, 07 @ 3:01 pm

Comments

I think Durban needs to stop being the Democrat “hitman” and start looking out at what is happening in our state. Plus this guy is better than Keys!!!

Comment by He makes Ryan look like a saint Monday, May 14, 07 @ 3:24 pm
Steve Sauerberg’s Political Career
Junw 14,2007 - November 5,2008
R.I.P.

Comment by Captain America Monday, May 14, 07 @ 3:33 pm
Senator Durbin continues to make trips to every region of this state on a regular basis. He hasn’t quit, he hasn’t slowed down, even after being appointed Senate Majority Whip. To those who say he’s “out of touch” with Illinois, come on over to Western Illinois where he has been a leader on education, health care and economic development initiatives since his first election to the Senate in 1996.

Comment by Porter McNeil Monday, May 14, 07 @ 3:36 pm
Sorry Doc,
Sen. Durbin’s views ARE that of Mainstream Illinois. Have you been asleep during the last four or five election cycles? I hope that you have a lot of money to waste!

Comment by Bill Monday, May 14, 07 @ 3:45 pm
Sorry Bill. Mainstream Illinois is not that liberal. Moderation is the answer.

Comment by Patriot Monday, May 14, 07 @ 3:51 pm
I can’t imagine where downstate would be without Dick Durbin–his DC and IL staffs are the best in government. Durbin’s proven ability to deliver for downstate interests makes him indispensible. Trading Durbin for some Chicago neo-con makes zero sense.

Comment by downstate Monday, May 14, 07 @ 4:19 pm
Why isn’t Andy Martin considered the “first Republican” running against Durbin?

Martin may be a fringe figure, but he has proven that he can get on the ballot.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, May 14, 07 @ 4:20 pm
I’m betting first and only opponent. This guy could get beat 75-25.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, May 14, 07 @ 4:22 pm
Did the Doctor have to pay Capital Fax for posting his campaign brochure? Not that it will do him much good against Durbin.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 14, 07 @ 4:29 pm
Wouldn’t this guy have a better shot at beating Lipinski than Durbin?

Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, May 14, 07 @ 4:30 pm
Andy Martin??? Really???

Comment by anonymous Monday, May 14, 07 @ 4:48 pm
Dr. Tomato Can,

The whole “liberal liberal liberal” thing makes me tired of you already.

Next.

Comment by Buck Turgidson Monday, May 14, 07 @ 5:11 pm
He lost me at “career politician”. US Senator is a political job. I wouldn’t want career politician Dick Durbin as my doctor and I don’t want “life-long family career physician” this guy as my Senator. Although, he’s a “loving husband” according to his press release. So that’s good, I guess. 86%-14%.

Comment by Punky QB Monday, May 14, 07 @ 5:34 pm
sorry, meant “life-long family care physician” either way, he’s done. Run for something in La Grange, rookie.

Comment by Punky QB Monday, May 14, 07 @ 5:36 pm
I know this “Doctor”. There is no way he will even make it until any election day once Durbin’s staff, National Dems and the press look into his background.

Bank on it. Its the truth. Papa told you first.

Comment by Papa Legba Monday, May 14, 07 @ 5:50 pm
Ah, the sacrificial lamb is quite succulent this time of year, with mint jelly on the side.

Comment by Gregor Monday, May 14, 07 @ 6:07 pm
Where can we send the good doctor a white headband and a bottle of rice wine as he begins his fruitless kamakaze mission?

But at least he’ll get a bigger obituary in the Tribune when he dies.

Comment by fedup dem Monday, May 14, 07 @ 6:26 pm
I think the Doctor can’t do any worse than proffessional politician Jim Durkin did! I think maybe he’ll challenge the Senator to talk about real issues and not just lay down,like Durkin did!!

Comment by Westchester Monday, May 14, 07 @ 6:36 pm
Bill, gimme a break. Mainstream IL is not on board with troop-bashing Dick Durbin. He’s slipped up before and I gurantee he’ll do it numerous times before election day.

Steve Sauerber offers a fresh face for politics and gives us, the voters, an alternative to liberal Dick.

Mainstream IL loves the troops Bill, why doesn’t Dick Durbin?

Comment by ChiCountryGuy Monday, May 14, 07 @ 7:27 pm
Anybody but Durbin again. Six more years of this Senator and IL is in worse shape. Watch C-Span every once in awhile and see him for the phony he is.

Comment by Penny Monday, May 14, 07 @ 8:18 pm
Another Oberweis-ish goof trying to make cheap points beating up on immigrants. Will go down the same way, too!

Comment by Elder Monday, May 14, 07 @ 8:58 pm
Who??? Never heard of the guy. And where has he been?

Has he written so much as a letter to the editor about these issues he says he cares so much about? Has he ever even been a precinct committeeman? Knocked on any doors for any other candidate?

Sounds like another Doc with a big ego who thinks he can also be an expert outside of ears, nose and throat. But maybe McKenna’s got his sacrificial lamb at last.

Only question - does he do better than Keyes? I’ll say no.

Good ballot name though. NOT.

Comment by GOP'er Monday, May 14, 07 @ 9:01 pm
Im Shocked. Shocked. Little Jim Blinky Edgar is not being considered? Has good sense finally prevailed?

Comment by A Citizen Monday, May 14, 07 @ 9:28 pm
It would appear that THE WAR IN IRAQ doesn’t rate among Mr. Sauerberg’s top concerns.

Now, tell me again who’s out of touch with Illinois?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, May 14, 07 @ 11:02 pm
This guy sounds like a joke.

Comment by Way Northsider Monday, May 14, 07 @ 11:50 pm
Bill, I know this will shock you but I am actually for Durbin. I’ve voted for him in the past and will do so in the future. See, I’m not all one sided.

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, May 15, 07 @ 12:06 am
Sorry to be an ageist, but 54 is too old to start out in politics. What the Republican party doesn’t need is more 50 and up white guys.

Durbin is unbeatable but I’d like to see some 30 something Republicans, or some women, take a run at him for the experience and future name recognition.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, May 15, 07 @ 12:30 am
Cassandra, this may be the first time you and I are on the same page. There are definitely too many rich, old white guys in government, particularly in the Senate.

Comment by Bridget Dooley Tuesday, May 15, 07 @ 7:27 am
Little e,
Glad to hear it. What’s wrong with old white guys?

Comment by Bill Tuesday, May 15, 07 @ 7:37 am
Durbin will not be re-elected, he’s never had an original thought in his life.

Comment by Old IDOTER Tuesday, May 15, 07 @ 7:42 am
Durbin will not be re-elected, he’s never had an original thought in his life.

He already was re-elected. In 2002. He hasn’t lost an election in a quarter century. Kirk’s taken a pass on him. Brady’s taken a pass on him. They national GOP won’t put much money against Durbin.

Reading some comments in this thread reminds me of things people said a year ago, when they predicted Blago wouldn’t stand a chance.

Comment by Some Guy Tuesday, May 15, 07 @ 8:53 am
Senate? What a joke! I wouldn’t vote for him for the head of a local pig farmer group!!! Keep to being a quack (or maybe I should have said a duck group)!

Comment by just an average joe Thursday, May 17, 07 @ 7:31 am
A 54 year old doctor who has the passion and the courage to openly state that illegal immigrants are a problem, no political attachments or baggage in his past, willing to leave a lucrative MD practice to actually try and make a difference in a “System Gone Wild!…. he should be running for president! I’d want this guy as my doctor and my senator.

Comment by A Boy Scout, Be Prepared! Wednesday, Jun 6, 07 @ 7:53 pm
I’d much rather have an MD stick his finger up me for all the right reasons than Durban has for all the wrong.

Comment by A Boy Scout, Be Prepared! Wednesday, Jun 6, 07 @ 8:03 pm
Anyone have more info about Sauerberg’s champaign efforts since May 14?

Comment by handymom Thursday, Jun 7, 07 @ 11:14 am
[…] But poor, poor Eunice… She must’ve missed all the news about Andy McKenna and IRP specifically recruiting Dr. Sauerberg. Why wouldn’t Mr. McKenna endorse him? Blogroll […]

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