Posted on 07/21/2004 7:02:43 AM PDT by LandOfLincolnGOP
Salvi vs. Obama?
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
By The Leader-Chicago Bureau
CHICAGO -- Chicago Public Radio is reporting that Al Salvi is telling colleagues he is rested and ready for another run at the U.S. Senate.
According to reporter Carlos Hernandez-Gomez, the former state representative and 1996 GOP U.S. Senate nominee is waiting for State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) to make his decision before going public. Gomez reports that Salvi will commit $1 million of his personal fortune to 'jump-start' his campaign.
Reports have been swirling for days that Salvi has been in contact with national level politicos, including Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Yorkville) and others.
Salvi, a trial lawyer from Wauconda in Lake County, upset then Lt. Gov Bob Kustra in the 1996 GOP primary before bowing to current U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Springfield) in the general election. All were vying to replace then-retiring U.S. Sen. Paul Simon (D-Makanda).
Notably, Salvi's 'comeback' victory surprised the Chicago Tribune, whose polls showed him consistently trailing Kustra by large margins. One poll two weeks out pegged Salvi as down 24 points (45-21). He won 47-44.
Salvi ran for Secretary of State in 1998 but lost to current officeholder Jesse White. He alienated a large portion of his conservative base that year by changing his position on the Second Amendment.
Salvi is pro-life but opposes concealed carry legislation.
He is married to Kathy and is the father of six children. The Salvis partner with State Senator Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) in a law practice specializing in personal injury.
© 2004 IllinoisLeader.com -- all rights reserved
Obama should be so lucky (not that he isn't already).
I thought Salvi did a good job of burning bridges after his 1996 campaign.
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