Oberweis declares victory in 14th District GOP race
Dairy mogul Jim Oberweis declared victory over state Sen. Chris Lauzen after securing the GOP nomination by a 15-point margin early this morning to replace retired U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert, who backed Oberweis for the seat, unofficial results show.
In a hotly contested race fueled by negative campaigning on both sides, Oberweis took 56 percent of the vote in the regular primary election, compared to 41 percent for Lauzen, with all precincts reporting, according to unofficial primary election results in the 14th Congressional District.
"Tonight, Republican primary voters have spoken -- and they have chosen someone who understands the economy and what we need to do to spur investment and create jobs," Oberweis said Tuesday.
The percentages were similar in the special primary election. Two primaries were held simultaneously to pick nominees to compete in two distinct races: Hastert's unexpired term and a separate 2-year term.
Campaigning as a change agent who would use his business acumen to solve America's problems, Oberweis contrasted himself with Lauzen, whom he painted as a career politician.
The Sugar Grove millionaire will face Bill Foster in the March 8 special election and either Foster or John Laesch in the Nov. 4 general election.
Lauzen, an accountant from Aurora, campaigned on his record, highlighting his 15 years of public service in the General Assembly. He accused Oberweis -- who invested $1.7 million of his own money into his campaign -- of buying the election. He had yet to concede late Tuesday.
"We're facing really the twin Goliaths of big money … (and) Denny Hastert stepping into a Republican primary to determine who the nominee is," Lauzen said.
Michael Dilger, an Evanston resident who waged a nonexistent campaign, earned 2 percent of the GOP vote, unofficial results show. He didn't run in the special primary.
Now begins the race to the general election, which also is expected to be hotly contested because for the first time in more than 20 years, Hastert's name won't be on the ballot. The Plano Republican held the seat for more than 20 years but retired Nov. 26.