Chris Lauzen State Senator

March 16, 2006

Please Vote for Steve Rauschenberger

Senator Chris Lauzen

Senator Steve Rauschenberger represents honest competence in Illinois state government.

I have composed this letter to you four times trying to get it right, but crumpled it up four times. I've tried to tell the emotional stories of my respect and affection for the fourteen years of Steve's work on our behalf (Click here for earlier endorsement), kinda bellyached about the current chaotic situation in Springfield and our dire need for leadership that Steve provides, and even made an abject plea to your self-interest to persuade you to take action to change what's happening in Illinois.

But, let me get right to the point and keep it short.

Steve Rauschenberger is the finest senator in the General Assembly. He works harder and more effectively than anyone else. And, after fourteen years of serving you, he remains honestly idealistic. Steve will make a wonderful, productive Lieutenant Governor.

Of the "Fab Five" who joined forces from private life 14 years ago, we've already lost Pat O'Malley to frustration and more financially rewarding pursuits. We have lost Peter Fitzgerald because he woke up one morning and discovered that it's better to watch your only son grow up happy in your company than get the stuffing kicked out of you every day by the Chicago newspapers. Thank goodness that he gave us Patrick Fitzgerald as the federal prosecutor before he bowed out.

We just can't afford to lose one more in Steve. He is the person who led the charge for "Truth-in-Budgeting", not only in legislation that got rid of two sets of misleading financial books, but also in his consistent grilling of state agency directors in the Senate Appropriations process where we spend $53,000,000,000 of your money each year. Steve Rauschenberger is the one who figured out that we could properly replenish the public pension funds that had been raided by Governors and General Assemblies before we got to Springfield in "Truth-in-Pensions".

Steve has fought hard and given everything he is and has to protect traditional American values. He has been a staunch advocate for the sanctity of life in modern society. He has consistently protected our Constitution, including the Second Amendment. And, in very practical ways, he has stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the front ranks of those who believe in and work for the strength of traditional families and the mainstream middle class.

Senator Rauschenberger decided to put his political career on the line when he chose to run for Governor. He said to me privately, "We need to move someone up to a position where he can have a greater impact, or I don't need to be here anymore." Steve will no longer be in the Senate if he doesn't win. He's not running "safe". And, more recently he shared with me, "I have nothing more to give if the truth no longer matters in this process."

That is what a true public servant feels! Steve fights for the true and the good. Please vote for Steve Rauschenberger for Lt. Governor. There is nothing more to say.