WurfWhile

Honestly the ‘when will Denny leave’ thing is played out - because Congressman Dennis Hastert has dragged it out for so long. The latest is that Dennis Hastert finally sent in a formal resignation letter today. There will be a special election to replace Hastert, who expects the primary to be held on February 5th along with the other state primaries. A general election would then be held to finish Hastert’s term, likely in the spring according to the Chicago Tribune. The regular primary to pick candidates for the general election to succeed Hastert’s current term will still happen on February 5th, special election primary or not.

Below are earlier reactions to Hastert’s resignation from Democrat Bill Foster and Democrat John Laesch’s campaigns (Jotham Stein’s Campaign did not respond to an email inquiry asking for comment, but I’ve excerpted from an email I got today pitching for donations, and I’ll try to get a comment from Joe Serra and put it in below when I get it.):

14th Congressional Democratic Candidate Bill Foster:

“‘As an Illinoisan and an American, I was impressed and inspired by Speaker Dennis Hastert’s graceful and thoughtful farewell speech. I congratulate him on his years of service and I wish him well in his retirement. He has served the people of Illinois as a teacher, legislator and as the Speaker of the House and we honor his commitment to public service.’

‘The election to replace Speaker Hastert offers the voters of our district the rare opportunity to have their voices heard in a national referendum on the continuation of the policies of President Bush and a Republican party that refuses to change course. As a scientist and businessman with a lifetime of changing institutions for the better, I am ready to take up the challenge before us. It’s time to bring the war in Iraq to an immediate and responsible end, provide health coverage for all Americans, end our dependence on foreign oil, and to begin focusing on and solving our long-term problems in a workable and productive way.’

‘There is only one candidate in this race who is not only committed to positive change, but has a record of accomplishing it. I look forward to the coming election,’ said Foster.”

14th Congressional Democratic Candidate John Laesch:

“This is an opportunity for voters in the 14th district to send a leader to Washington who will fight for the middle class and work tirelessly to bring our troops home. I am the only candidate in this race who will defund Bush’s reckless war and oppose pre-emptive war in Iran.”

14th Congressional Democratic Candidate Jotham Stein

“Hastert’s resignation is a step in the right direction that will end years of misguided partisan leadership and disastrous policies. The former Speaker blindly supported President Bush’s agenda, a divisive agenda which has hurt our nation. It is time for us to move beyond the Bush-Hastert era of failed, divisive leadership and start working to find real solutions to the real problems our country faces.

Unlike Mr. Hastert, I will not play partisan games with our nation’s domestic policy, security and international relations. I will fight hard for the things you and I believe in, while working with everybody regardless of party or ideology and compromising when necessary, to fix our nation’s problems and to take our country in a positive direction.”

Democratic Candidates for the 14th Congressional Seat:

Bill Foster
John Laesch
Joe Serra
Jotham Stein

Republican Candidates for the 14th Congressional Seat:

Kevin Burns
Michael J. Dilger
Chris Lauzen
Jim Oberweis