Kane GOP leader offers to resign

The leader of Kane County's Republican party has offered to resign from his post after becoming a paid consultant for state Sen. Chris Lauzen's congressional campaign.

But Denny Wiggins told members of the Kane County Republican Central Committee at the group's monthly meeting Thursday he hopes a majority of party leaders agree to let him fulfill the remainder of his term as central committee chairman. The term ends Feb. 5, the day of the primary election.

"I wouldn't step down unless somebody stepped up to the plate that I felt didn't have a personal agenda, somebody that I felt strongly that they had the best interest of the party at heart," Wiggins said Friday. "That's why I said I'd consider stepping down. There's nothing in the (committee) bylaws that says I have to do this."

Two of Lauzen's three Republican opponents for the 14th Congressional District seat held by former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert are calling for Wiggins' resignation.

"I trust Mr. Wiggins will do the right thing and step aside as party chair," Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said. "After all, he can't serve two masters."

"It's our understanding that he's going to have to step aside," said Bill Pascoe, a campaign spokesman for Jim Oberweis.

The decision rests in the hands of the county's GOP executive committee, which consists of the eight township chairmen and other party leaders. Leaders reached for comment Friday were split on whether they would push for Wiggins' resignation.

Elgin Township GOP chairman Mike Kenyon said Wiggins should resign.

"Maybe in some real machine politics things like this happen -- maybe in Chicago. I don't know," said Kenyon, a Kane County Board member. "But out here it doesn't seem like the Republican party, especially the chairman, should openly support one over the other in the primary."

Campton Township GOP chairman Richard Johansen disagreed.

"I don't see any reason why Denny can't endorse anyone he wants," Johansen said. "Besides, he's done such a good job I don't want to lose him."

Wiggins' announcement comes as Republicans fight to retain control of the 14th Congressional District. Hastert has held the seat since 1986.

Lauzen is "the strongest candidate" with the best chance of winning the primary and general elections, thereby keeping the seat in the GOP, Wiggins said.

"I believe it is critical to maintain this office in Republican hands and am therefore doing all in my power to see to it that that happens," he wrote in an e-mail to party leaders Thursday night.

Rudy Clai, the fourth GOP candidate, said he had "no adverse response to" Wiggins' announcement.

"This is America, so I believe you're free to do whatever you'd like to do," said Clai, a North Aurora entertainment promoter.

Wiggins, 66, of Aurora, has been involved in Kane County GOP leadership for 45 years. He's been county party chairman for a decade and also serves as chairman of the state central committee.

Oberweis unsuccessfully challenged Wiggins for the county and state leadership posts two years ago.

In his professional life Wiggins works as the governmental affairs director for the Home Builders Association of Greater Fox Valley.