Candidates set themselves apart at debate
Democrats seeking their party's nomination in the 14th Congressional District stepped up efforts Thursday evening to draw distinctions among themselves for primary voters.
Bill Foster, a business owner from Geneva, said his expertise as a scientist gives him an edge in solving the nation's problems, many of which he said are technology related.
John Laesch, who ran against Dennis Hastert in this sprawling district two years ago, said the nation's most pressing problems do not require technical expertise, but, instead, representatives who will "fill a leadership void." Calling himself the only genuine fair-trade advocate in the four-man field, Laesch said he would go further than the other three to compel U.S. trade partners to honor worker rights in their own countries.
Joe Serra, a Geneva entrepreneur, staked out a clearly different position from the other three on Iraq. While saying he is not "fond" of the war, Serra said he -- unlike the other three -- would give military forces more time to achieve U.S. goals in Iraq.
"We can't end this war overnight by de-funding the troops," Serra said, adding that a long-term U.S. presence in the Middle East is required for strategic reasons.
Jotham Stein, a St. Charles attorney, said he offers a fair trade approach more realistic than Laesch, whose policies, Stein said, would virtually eliminate U.S. trade with many Asian nations. Stein also said that while he favors an early withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, he would continue to vote for funding as long as troops remain. Foster's de-funding approach, Stein said, would put U.S. troops at risk.
The candidates, appearing in a debate at Aurora University, were asked how they expect to win the general election in a Republican-stronghold district, which former House Speaker Hastert represented for more than 20 years before his November retirement.
Foster cited his experience as a former scientist at Fermilab, saying it equipped him with experience in making the kind of teamwork-oriented problem solving that voters want.
Laesch, a union carpenter from Newark, said voters of both parties share common concerns -- education and health care among them -- and are seeking change from policies of the Bush administration.
Serra said that as a moderate Democrat, he would attract voters across party lines.
"I'm pro-choice, but I'm in favor of the death penalty," he said. "I support affirmative action, but I also support the right to keep and bear arms."
Stein, calling himself "the only one who can beat a Republican," said his emphasis on job creation appeals to Republicans and Democrats as well as independents.
The question of Democrats' support across the district will become relevant soon after the Feb. 5 primary. On that date, each party will nominate one candidate for the general election in November. But on March 8, district residents will vote in a special election to choose, from among all the Democrats and Republicans running, one person to finish out the remainder of Hastert's term.
In other Thursday-evening questioning, all four candidates said they support an economic stimulus package as long as it benefits working- and middle-class Americans. Stein said he also favors extending unemployment benefits.
Seeking the Republican nomination are state Sen. Chris Lauzen of Aurora and Sugar Grove businessman Jim Oberweis.