Candidates in the 14th District Congressional race gathered in St. Charles last Friday to share breakfast and their views on politics with community members.

In attendance were Democrats Bill Foster, John Laesch and Jotham Stein, and Republicans Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-25th District, of Aurora, and Jim Oberweis, who was endorsed by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert Thursday. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, citing Hastert’s endorsement of Oberweis, pulled out of the race Thursday but attended the breakfast as a spectator.

Democrat Joe Serra and Republican Michael Dilger were absent.

Following the breakfast, each candidate was given five minutes to address the audience and share his views on foreign policy, Medicare, immigration, fiscal issues and other topics.

On the Democratic side, Foster and Laesch spoke mostly of their staunch anti-war viewpoints, while Stein said he was focused on bringing job growth and a strong economy to the 14th District. Stein said if he is elected to Congress, his biggest goal would be creating strong economic growth.

“We need to work with educators and the public to keep the education system strong and the immigration policies in line,” Stein, a St. Charles resident, said.

Foster, a FermiLab scientist and former businessman, called his run for Congress as a huge opportunity to change the country for the better.

“I’m focusing on global warming education based on facts and getting our troops home now,” Foster said.

A veteran naval intelligence analyst who spent time in Iraq, Laesch said he got into politics because he disagreed with President Bush’s assessments of Iraq.

“I stood up against the war because I knew it was wrong,” Laesch said.

Oberweis, chairman of Oberweis Dairy, began by mentioning his endorsement.

“It’s truly a humbling experience to have the speaker stand up and say this will be the best guy for the job,” Oberweis said.

Oberweis is one of four candidates who will run in the special election, which was triggered by Hastert’s resignation. Dilger, Serra and Stein will appear on the regular primary ballot only.

In response to Hastert’s endorsement, Lauzen pointed out that the former 21-year speaker’s endorsements of Oberweis in past campaigns didn’t make a difference.

Oberweis was defeated in the 2006 gubernatorial race and in 2002 and 2004 when he ran for U.S. senator.

“(The endorsement) may be good for Oberweis, but it’s bad for the people and bad for unity in the Republican Party,” Lauzen said in a statement Thursday. “Hastert has resigned and Oberweis is running against me — let the people decide.”

Lauzen listed endorsements he has received from pro-life, pro-family, pro-gun and pro-taxpayer groups.

At the forum, Lauzen laid out his objectives for Congress, which include plans to cut wasteful spending, and strive for higher paying jobs in the private sector.

“I stand for limited government, free enterprise and personal responsibility,” Lauzen said.

Like his Republican opponent, Oberweis shares the conservative view that limited government works best. Oberweis said the best way for the government to manage the current housing crisis is to take a step back.

“When we adopt a solution that says the federal government should solve all our problems, it leads to more problems,” Oberweis said.

He said he would maintain his “Midwestern values” if elected, and would focus on lowering taxes, securing the border and protecting the U.S. from terrorism.

The special and regular primary elections will be held Feb. 5.