Lauzen, Burns battle over Hultgren endorsement

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Geneva mayor Kevin Burns, who is currently running for Kane County board chair, speaks at a candidate forum in St. Charles on Jan. 23, 2012. | Jeff Cagle~For Sun-Times Media

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Updated: March 9, 2012 8:10AM

They’re in the same party ,but the two Republicans running for Kane County Board chairman haven’t shown much of a collegial attitude toward each other. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and State Sen. Chris Lauzen have pulled few punches. From his first comments at the first debate, Burns has targeted Lauzen.

“My opponent wants to rule Kane County,” Burns said. “I want to work with people.”

It’s been downhill since then as the two experienced campaigners have found little common ground. Even the local congressman’s endorsement has become a political spat.

On Saturday, U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, a Winfield Republican who represents most of Kane County, endorsed Lauzen at a political fundraiser. Hultgren, who served in the Illinois Senate with Lauzen before his congressional run, praised Lauzen’s drive and commitment to constituents.

And that same day, Burns’ campaign team sent out a press release that claimed Hultgren had switched his endorsement. Burns said that a week prior to Lauzen’s event, Hultgren and several other Republican candidates were going door-to-door in Kane County. According to Burns, Hultgren praised him and urged voters to support him in the March 20 GOP primary election.

Burns said he was surprised to see the Lauzen endorsement.

“While I respect Randy’s right to do what he wants,” Burns wrote, “I was obviously taken aback by this action. It was only last week he told voters we encountered in Huntley that I was ‘the right man for the job,’ so you can understand my surprise when I read the news.”

Burns went on to quote from a conversation he said he had with Hultgren, where Hultgren expressed regret over having to endorse Lauzen. Hultgren’s office declined to comment on whether the conversation was accurately portrayed.

“Congressman Hultgren has endorsed only one candidate for Kane County Board chair: Sen. Chris Lauzen,” said Hultgren spokesman Gill Stevens.

Lauzen said Hultgren privately confirmed his plans to endorse in January, then publicly announced the decision Saturday.

“Randy and I have worked together and supported each other for years. He scheduled his endorsement (privately) at our winter barbecue, Sunday, Jan. 29,” Lauzen said. “As always, Randy did what he said he was going to do. On Saturday night in front of 350 mutual friends, it was a clear testimonial that I appreciate.”

Lauzen declined any further comment on Burns’ press release.

“I think that my opponent is making an error, so why comment on an error?” Lauzen said.

Lauzen said he is disappointed with the tenor of a primary race that has become so divisive.

“It’s regrettable, and I do think it’s one-sided,” Lauzen said. “When he attacks, I defend myself. When he attacks again, I defend myself again. … I know I’ll need Kevin’s help if we win, but he doesn’t seem to recognize that.”

Burns called the entire episode “Politics 101.”

“Friends will sometime disappoint,” Burns said. “What’s noteworthy and telling about Randy’s statement about Chris is the absence of any reference to his honesty, integrity and ability to the job required of chairman. I’m not surprised, however, because Mr. Lauzen has no record to run on and hasn’t offered any plan to move the county forward.”