Five for one Two Republicans, three Democrats vie for Hasterts vacated seat by Matt Brennan Five candidates for the 14th Congressional District seat vacated by former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert met for a “Breakfast with the Candidates” forum at the Hilton Garden Inn in St. Charles to introduce themselves and answer audience questions Friday morning. Sugar Grove Republican and entrepreneur Jim Oberweis was among the two Republicans and three Democrats at the event, sponsored by several local Chambers of Commerce, including Elburn's. Hastert endorsed Oberweis the previous day. “Yesterday was a good day,” Oberweis said. “It truly is a humbling experience to have the Speaker of the House stand up and say 'This is the best guy to follow me in the Congress.'” Current state Sen. Chris Lauzen was the other Republican candidate. The three Democratic candidates at the event were scientist and businessman Bill Foster, veteran and carpenter John Laesch, and lawyer Jotham Stein. Each candidate was given five minutes for opening remarks. Lauzen said he would continue pursuing the same interests in Washington that he has had in Springfield, such as cutting government spending and creating more job opportunities in the private sector. Foster said the troops in Iraq should come home now. As an owner of a theater lighting company, he said he identifies with small business owners and would like to make things easier for them. Laesch grew up in West Africa and then a small farm in Newark, Ill. Laesch is interested in taking a forward approach with the country's problems, he said. Oberweis is an entrepreneur who has started half a dozen corporations, he said. He would like to see government spending posted more freely on the Internet for everyone to look at. “That's the best way to drive out wasteful spending,” he said. Stein said he wanted to see a more innovative, entreprenarial economy brought to the 14th District. With several businesses, Northern Illinois University and Fermilab within the district, Stein said the infrastructure is there to make the 14th District the engine of the U.S. economy. The candidates were also asked five questions, and given a chance to answer each. When asked how the federal government can help finance capital projects, Stein said he would rely on his personal skills. “What I can do is work hard and long using my skills as a negotiator to bring back federal dollars,” he said. Stein also noted that a Democrat would be the best solution to continue Hastert's trend of bringing back federal dollars for the district. “I'm a Democrat, and Democrats are in power,” he said. When asked what to do to protect small businesses from big box stores, Oberweis said that government should not get involved, other than to lower tax rates for entrepreneurs. Not every moment was serious while the candidates had the microphone. While Foster was talking about himself, he shared his legal name, George William Foster. “If you try to run for office as George W. anything, it's not a good idea,” he said. 12/21/2007