Fifth Democratic candidate for Hastert's seat enters the race (Yes, 5th!)

[Greeby]

http://www.prairiestateblue.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3088

The race for Illinois' 14th Congressional District just got a little more crowded. Physicist and millionaire (perhaps the only time those two words have shared a sentence), Bill Foster has entered the Democratic primary. Foster isn't entirely a political neophyte, having volunteered on Patrick Murphy's successful upset of Mike Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania's 8th.

He joins a crowded field already chomping at the bit:

* John Laesch, 2006 Democratic candidate
* Linda Chapa LaVia, Illinois State Rep.
* Jotham Stein, lawyer
* Joe Serra, candidate for State Rep. in 2006

With such an embarrassment of riches in the 14th on can only hope that we'll see a strong and spirited campaign that puts a Democrat in the House.

On the Republican side, Dennis Hastert still hasn't decided if he'll retire, but already State Sen. Chris Lauzen, State Rep. Tim Schmitz, and Jim Oberweis are sniffing around for opportunities...

[jgraz]

1. Awesome! One more and we should have weight parity with Denny.

[rurallib]

2. It's a big seat to fill.

[deadmessengers]

3. Nice bigotry

Of all the negative things one can say about Dennis Hastert, you've got to pick on his WEIGHT? Come on. I know that fat people (and yes, he is extremely obese) aren't awfully popular in society (especially around here), but can't you do better than that, after all the ammo he's given us over the years?

[jgraz]

4. Damn, I really wasn't going for "nice"

I can say many negative things about Denny, AND I can point out the fact that he's a sick, fat slob. I hope he's sensitive about his weight and I hope everyone he meets makes snide comments about it. This idiot has never given anybody one single molecule of human consideration and he'll get none from me.

[murielm99]

5. My brother called me this evening

and asked me about this candidate.

I am not in the 14th, but I hope Laesch ends up as the candidate. He has great credentials, and now he has the name recognition. He made a good showing against Denny last time.

The republicans may have a primary, too, if that many of them want the seat. I would like to see one of our extremely talented prospects run against the milk nazi. I would walk and knock on doors for our guy.