Dennis Hastert's Son Running For Dad's Old House Seat, Now Held By The Dems
Ethan Hastert, the 31-year old son of former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) has announced that he is running for his father's old seat in Congress -- which the Democrats picked up in a stunning special election victory in March 2008, despite it having been a Republican bastion for decades before that.
Hastert the Younger appears to be pitching himself as a new face in politics: "Quite frankly, people are ready for the next generation of leadership."
Hastert the Elder resigned from Congress about a year after the Democrats won control. In the special election, Democratic businessman Bill Foster defeated GOP businessman Jim Oberweis by five points, even though the district had been carried by George W. Bush in 2004 by a 55%-44% margin. Then in the 2008 general election, Illinois favorite son Barack Obama carried the district 55%-44%, and Foster defeated Oberweis again by an increased majority of 15 points.
(Via Taegan Goddard.)
Josh
Matt
Eric
It's important to recognize that Jim Oberweis is far to the right of most Illinois republican voters. The man is a neanderthal.
That said, he makes FANTASTIC dairy products. You've gotta try his chocolate milk.
June 9, 2009 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does Hastert's bratling have his addiction to meat products?
June 9, 2009 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually except on immigration Jim Oberweis isn't all that far right of most Republican voters, especially on religious culture war issues. His chief primary opponent in March 2008 was a religious fundy state senator if I remember correctly, far to the right of him. But he is an abrasive jerk, prone to juvenile criticisms of his opponents and sleazy Rove style tactics. Even most Republicans can't stand him.
Hastert junior? I don't know him. If he can raise money and is an effective campaigner Repubs might get excited about this race. Otherwise he's just a nepotism pick, and it'll be obvious pretty quickly he can't fill his old man's shoes in their eyes.
Bill Foster is a sharp guy, if not a thrilling speaker. Unless the Hastert kid has JFK or Obama level charisma I don't see him losing this seat.
June 9, 2009 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink