Hastert's endorsement leads Geneva mayor to withdraw

He's got style, a quick wit, and oodles of Kennedy-esque charisma.

But without the backing of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Kevin Burns felt he couldn't convince voters he's the best man to follow Hastert's footsteps representing the 14th Congressional District.

And so Burns has shelved his dreams of heading to Washington and instead will remain mayor of Geneva.

"In anticipation of this news, I have consulted with my family and campaign team and have determined that it's in my best interest and the (Republican) party's best interest to suspend my campaign at this time," Burns said Thursday, shortly after Hastert announced his endorsement of Jim Oberweis in the Feb. 5 GOP primary election.

That leaves Oberweis, state Sen. Chris Lauzen of Aurora and dark horse Michael Dilger of Evanston. Polls showed Oberweis and Lauzen tied, with Burns expected to earn just 4 percent of the vote. Dilger is an unknown who has yet to speak publicly about his campaign.

Burns also trailed in the fundraising race, pulling in just $68,260 in the third quarter of 2007, the most recent period for which financial reports are made public. Oberweis and Lauzen raised nearly six and eight times that, respectively.

It's not too late to remove Burns' name from the ballot. The ballots have yet to be printed because the Illinois State Board of Elections certification deadline for the GOP delegate candidates, whose names must appear on Republican ballots across the state, is still a week away.

Burns also was the least conservative of the three main GOP candidates, a moderate who described himself as someone who could "represent the diversity of the district." But in announcing his preference for Oberweis, Hastert highlighted Oberweis' staunch conservative stance.

Yet Burns appeared undaunted by what some might view as shortcomings. Just four days ago, he turned in 2,010 signatures with his petition to appear on the special primary to fulfill the remaining months of Hastert's unexpired term.

Burns thanked his supporters, offered his congratulations to Oberweis and said his relationship with Hastert remains strong. In a letter dated Thursday, Hastert called Burns a "talented candidate."

"I'm confident that at some point in the future you will have an opportunity to share your talents by representing even more of us," Hastert wrote.