Last week, first time candidate and former CIA Officer, John Pavich lost to Congressman Jerry Weller by 55% to 45%. In many ways, this was a great showing for John. John started this campaign at age 28 (he is now 30) and raised nearly $600K without any DCCC help...a huge accomplishment for such a young guy with no political experience.
Weller had over a $1 million dollar advantage and spent the money trashing John with outlandish charges and racist mailings. John raised more money than any challenger that Jerry Weller has ever had. Weller's last several opponents have lost by huge margins. In 2004, Tari Renner lost by 18%. John Pavich cut that to 10%. This district covers the far southern suburbs of Chicago and contains all or most of 8 counties. In the most important county to win this seat (and the fastest growing county in IL), Will County, John lost 53% to 47%. He did better throughout the district than past Weller opponents.
Some other interesting facts...John got more votes than the Governor in Kankakee County. John received more votes than Peter Roskam, Tammy Duckworth, Melissa Bean, and Dan Seals.
Jerry Weller can be beaten. Many of you know him as the Congressman married to the daughter of the former dictator/murderer of Guatemala, Efrain Rios Montt. You can read more about Weller's relationship to Guatemala at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/... . Another interesting article about his unreported assets in Nicaragua can be found at: http://www.chicagoreader.com/... .
I hope John Pavich runs again in 2008!