Dennis Hastert's son to run for father's seat

With every big corporate bailout a Democrat-controlled Congress approves, all Ethan Hastert sees is more money getting ripped out of the pockets of his children and his grandchildren.

So after much consultation with advisers he trusts and respects, Hastert's recent exploration of his candidacy for the 14th Congressional District seat is now a commitment.

Hastert will file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission this week that will allow him to start raising the funds necessary for a full campaign against incumbent Democrat Bill Foster.

"What really drives me is I'm concerned about the unprecedented levels of spending and borrowing," Hastert said of the current congressional leadership. "People share my frustration. What we've got is a change in quantity, not quality in Washington, D.C.

"You're looking at three times the spending and three times the deficit. If you want a serious check or balance against what's happening in Washington, it starts with the 14th District."

Hastert said he recognizes his bid won't come cheap. The 14th District seat was long held by his father, former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert. When Hastert retired, Foster won the seat for the Democrats for the first time in recent memory.

But the younger Hastert, an Elburn resident, sees 2010 as a year to win the seat back for Republicans as Democrats fight against the traditional voter blowback whenever one political party wins a huge margin in the previous election.

"Right now it's what folks call a trophy seat," Ethan Hastert said. "My dad had it, and the Democrats love the fact that they have it now."

Back: Hastert call deficit a chief reason to run