Roskam launches ad blitz against challenging Democrat

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam launched an ad blitz this week that aims to shred his opponent's credibility by tying the Democrat to Gov. Rod Blagojevich and felon Tony Rezko.

Challenger Jill Morgenthaler responded Thursday by saying she never met Rezko and she is proud of her work as Illinois' homeland security chief.

"Obviously, 'statesman' is not a term that should be used with him," Morgenthaler said of Roskam and his latest ads.

The ad campaign includes a 30-second cable spot and a 60-second radio piece. Both say Morgenthaler was a Blagojevich "crony" who helped Rezko on an Iraqi security contract.

"That's shady," the voice over says.

Roskam spokesman Matt Vriesema said, "We are simply presenting the facts and letting the voters decide."

Morgenthaler served as Blagojevich's homeland security chief from 2005 to 2007, when she decided to run for Congress in the 6th District, which covers much of DuPage County and northwest Cook County.

Morgenthaler is a retired Army colonel who served in Iraq and Bosnia.

The ad focuses on a letter Morgenthaler wrote while Blagojevich's homeland security chief in 2006. The letter recommended an Illinois military facility for use as a training station for a company hoping to provide security for Iraqi power plants.

The company, Companion Security, had ties to Rezko, who was convicted this year in a massive state bribery scheme. The deal never panned out.

Morgenthaler says she didn't know Rezko was tied to the company when she wrote the letter. She said she only met with former police officers who ran the company.

"I never met the man, never dealt with him and never would have," Morgenthaler said.

The Des Plaines resident has yet to run TV or radio spots to promote her agenda. Roskam, a Wheaton Republican, won the seat in 2006 after defeating Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth.