Jim Oberweis enters state senate race

Dairy magnate Jim Oberweis confirmed Saturday he’ll be a candidate in the 25th District State Senate seat race.

The seat currently is held by Chris Lauzen. Lauzen will vacate the position in a quest to become Kane County Board chairman.

Oberweis, a Sugar Grove Republican, also contemplated a run for chairman but said he decided the state Senate ultimately will be a better venue for him to create meaningful change in economic policy. He plans on kicking off his campaign within a week to 10 days.

Oberweis has run unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate, governor and U.S. Representative. However, Republican Party members elevated Oberweis to a leadership role last year in electing him to the party’s state central committee.

Oberweis will have at least one GOP challenger for the state Senate seat. Blackberry Township Supervisor Dave Richmond announced his run for the position in late August.

“He’s a good man,” Oberweis said of Richmond. “I think it’ll be a friendly competition.”

Richmond made an unsuccessful bid for state representative in 2008. He previously worked as a district director for U.S. Rep. J. Dennis Hastert.

Sugar Grove Village President Sean Michels also has said he’s considering a run for the position. Michels made an unsuccessful attempt at unseating Lauzen in 2010. Michels has not yet made a public declaration of his final decision.

No Democrats have announced their intent to run for the seat.