Campaign News

Lauzen Gets Fitzgerald's Support

by By MATT HANLEY

Monday, 1/7/2008

Sixty percent of the "Fab Five" was re-united Saturday night in Aurora, as Chris Lauzen received the endorsement of former U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald in the race for Dennis Hastert's U.S. Representative seat. In 1992, Fitzgerald and Lauzen were part of the group of five aggressive, Republican political newcomers elected to the Illinois legislature. At the fund-raising dinner held at Aurora Christian High School this weekend, Fitzgerald said Lauzen's dedication and political stances haven't changed in all those years. "This man is steel," Fitzgerald told the more than 500 supporters in attendance. "He will never turn his back on the people who elected him." Since the five legislators used to meet at a Springfield steak house for strategy sessions, Fitzgerald said Lauzen still represents the same anti-abortion, pro-gun rights and family values beliefs that he stresses in his current campaign. "He never took a poll," Fitzgerald said. "He never stuck his finger in the wind." As Fitzgerald continued with his praise, a third member of the "Fab Five" former Elgin State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger -- who had spoken just prior to Fitzgerald -- leaned over to Lauzen and jokingly added, "I'm starting to like you." Those three men, along with Patrick O'Malley and Dave Syverson, made up the "Fab Five." Fitzgerald went on to be U.S. senator, before deciding not to run for the seat now held by Barack Obama. Syverson is a state senator; Rauschenberger and O'Malley are former state senators, although Rauschenberger riffed that he hasn't been seen because he's in witness protection. After the endorsement, Lauzen again took aim at dairy owner Jim Oberweis, his main competition in the Feb. 5, special primary for the GOP nomination to fill Hastert's seat. Lauzen criticized the amount of money Oberweis has spent on past failed campaigns, while portraying himself as the average-man candidate. "Usually, you're a lot more careful with your own money," Lauzen said. "Just wait until he's got your money. I understand your needs and fears and what you spend." http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/728838,2_1_AU07_LAUZEN_S1.article