Another Candidate in for State Senate Seat
Paddock Publications, Inc.
Chicago Daily Herald
Daily Herald Staff Writers, James Fuller and Harry Hitzeman

June 29, 2005 Wednesday

State Rep. Randy Hultgren plunged into a growing pool of local political ambition Tuesday by announcing his bid for State Sen. Peter Roskam's seat.

Roskam hopes to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde of Wood Dale. The Wheaton Republican's Senate term expires at the same time Hyde's seat will becomes vacant next year.

Roskam hasn't openly endorsed anyone to replace him, but he's closely aligned with Hultgren politically.

Hultgren's announcement brings the total field of would-be Roskam replacements to two, with at least one more potential candidate in the mix.

Naperville City Councilman Richard Furstenau announced his candidacy for the state Senate in May. Will County Board member Charles Maher, also of Naperville, remains a maybe, but said he'll make a final decision in a few weeks.

"I'm not going to waste our taxpayers' money if I don't think I'm going to win," Maher said.

Of the three, Hultgren's appeal to conservatives is perhaps the best known aspect of what the trio would bring to the race. His stance as an abortion opponent nearly matches Roskam's, as do Hultgren's views against gay marriage.

In fact, Hultgren, a Winfield Republican, circulated a petition at his announcement Tuesday that seeks to place an advisory question on the November 2006 ballot. It would gauge support for a state constitutional amendment stating that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid.

"I have to do what I think is right," he said. "I'm willing to lose an election over something that I believe in."

The time is right for a state Senate bid because the GOP has a real shot at winning back the chamber, Hultgren added.

"I'd like to be in the majority for a change," he said.

Hultgren said he has the backing of several DuPage County officials including State's Attorney Joe Birkett and Forest Preserve District President Dewey Pierotti.

Hultgren's announcement nudges over one more domino of political intrigue as candidates are already lining up to replace him now, too.

Two-term West Chicago Mayor Michael Fortner announced his candidacy for Hultgren's House seat Tuesday.

"I can bring the most experience, understanding of the issues and how they impact the businesses and residents in the region," Fortner said.

Meanwhile, Milton Township GOP official Pam Mitroff said Tuesday she's the ideal candidate to replace Hultgren because she already has experience working with state lawmakers.

She is a former lobbyist for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and now owns her own business.

"We need reasonable people with a business perspective in Springfield now more than ever," said Mitroff, of Wheaton.

DuPage County Board member Debra Olson is also a rumored potential candidate, according to Hultgren.

Olson, also of Wheaton, did not completely rule out a run for Hultgren's seat Tuesday but said, "at this point, the answer is that the timing is just not right for my family."
Hultgren said he hasn't decided whom he'll endorse for his seat. Both Olson and Fortner stood with him during his announcement.