GOP to Local Businessmen: I Love You

By Kevin Robinson in News on Mar 25, 2008 4:40PM

What is it about the Illinois state GOP and their mega-crush on local business tycoons?

With Republican Tim Baldermann out of the race to fill Jerry Weller's congressional seat, 11th District committeemen will meet April 30 to pick a replacement on the ballot to challenge Democratic state Sen. Debbie Halvorson. According to Crain's Chicago Business, local concrete magnate Martin Ozinga is the "consensus candidate" among the party leadership.

Ozinga's anointment as the party's pick isn't a done deal just yet, though. The Republican county chairmen who will make the decision are also looking at Harry Bond, owner of Monical's Pizza (People Pleasing People).

With Democrat Bill Foster's recent win in former House Speaker Dennis Hastert's seat, there is a lot riding on the party's choice next month, and Ozinga's ability to self-finance a campaign that is getting a late start is part of his appeal. As president of the ubiquitous concrete company, Ozinga has the resources to quickly launch a campaign. But he doesn't come without baggage. The Mokena-based construction materials company has made tens of millions of dollars off of City of Chicago contracts, and three years ago the Tribune ran a story charging that Ozinga was partnering with black churches to win minority business set asides. Church leaders have said that they were not involved in day-to-day operations of the business. Ozinga told the Tribune that it was a legitimate effort to involve minorities in his business. Federal Election Commission records also indicate that Ozinga gave $10,000 to Blagojevich's campaign in 2005, and that he made a $1000 contribution to Dick Durbin's campaign.

Image via mmmmarshall