Steve Rauschenberger

Steve Rauschenberger
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 22nd district
In office
1993 – 2007
Succeeded by Michael Noland
Personal details
Born August 29, 1956
Political party Republican
Residence Elgin, Illinois

Steve Rauschenberger (born August 29, 1956, Elgin, Illinois) served as a Republican member of the Illinois State Senate from 1993 to 2007. He was first elected to the state Senate in 1992. While State Senator he was a member of a group of conservative state senators elected in 1992 who often challenged the leadership of the Illinois Republican Party and were dubbed the "Fab Five", the group also included, Peter Fitzgerald, Dave Syverson, Patrick O'Malley and Chris Lauzen.[1] In 2003 he was appointed to the Senate Republican Leadership team in 2003 as Assistant Republican Leader.[2]

On September 23, 2003, Rauschenberger announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.[3] Despite being heavily out matched in fundraising, he rode a late surge fueled by sweeping editorial endorsements to finish third in the March 16, 2004 Illinois U.S. Senate Republican primary election that was won by Jack Ryan, and was a front-runner to replace Ryan as the Republican nominee in the first two weeks after Ryan quit the Senate race.[4] Rauschenberger announced on July 8, 2004 that he would not seek the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate—in part because he was never convinced he would have the financial support needed to wage a competitive campaign against Barack Obama who had announced two days earlier having raised $4 million in the second quarter of 2004.[5] Rauschenberger's withdrawal was followed by a week of speculation about Mike Ditka replacing Ryan as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.[6]

In 2006 Senator Rauchenberger sought the Republican nomination for IL Governor, but later dropped down the ballot to run for Lieutenant Governor as the running mate of Ron Gidwitz. He eventually lost to DuPage County States Attorney Joe Birkett.[7] Though the two positions are nominated in the primary independently, candidates for both often run together during the primary campaign, promoting a single "ticket."

Rauschenberger served as chief budget negotiator for the Senate Republicans and was active in the state budget process, serving on both Appropriations Committees and also the Environment & Energy Committee. He also served on the Economic and Fiscal Commission, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, the Illinois Sports Authority Facilities Advisory Board, and the McCormick Place Advisory Board.[2]

He attended Elgin School District U-46 public schools, was a National Merit Finalist, and is a graduate of the College of William and Mary.

Senator Rauschenberger is a native of Elgin, IL where he currently resides with his wife, Betty and their two children, Michael and Henry.[2]

Currently, he serves as the President of the United Republican Fund and remains President of Lobbyist Group Rauschenberger Partners. He was a candidate for Republican National Committeeman at the 2008 State Convention of the Illinois Republican Party, but lost to Patrick Brady.

In 2010, Rauschenberger filed petitions to seek the Republican nomination for the Illinois State Senate in the 22nd District (his former Senate Seat). He won the Republican nomination, but narrowly lost to incumbent Democratic State Senator Michael Noland in the general election.

References

  1. ↑ Strahler, Steven (May 20, 1995). "Young and Restless;Meet GOP's Fab 5". Crains Chicago Business (Chicago). Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Senator Steve Rauschenberger RSSCC Retrieved June 7, 2007
  3. ↑ Senator Steve Rauschenberger Announces Bid for United States Senate ereleases.com Press Release. September 23, 2003. Retrieved June 7, 2007
  4. ↑ Krol, Eric (June 26, 2004). "Facing 'brutal' campaign, Ryan quits; GOP leaders breathe sigh of relief, begin search for replacement". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights). p. 1.
    Krol, Eric; Patterson, John (June 26, 2004). "Top prospects won't take Ryan's place". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights). p. 5.
    Pearson, Rick (July 4, 2004). "5 who lost to Jack Ryan step forward to replace him". Chicago Tribune. p. 1 (Metro).
  5. ↑ Sweet, Lynn (July 7, 2004). "Obama's campaign coffers hold $7 mil.". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 8.
    Mendell, David (July 7, 2004). "Fundraising has set record, Obama says; $4 million raked in in the last quarter". Chicago Tribune. p. 1 (Metro).
    Pearson, Rick (July 9, 2004). "GOP told thanks, but no thanks; Senate rejection another setback". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
    Fornek, Scott (July 9, 2004). "Favored Ryan stand-in steps aside instead; Rauschenberger would rather run for governor in 2006". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 6.
  6. ↑ Patterson, John (July 9, 2004). "With Rauschenberger out, Da Coach for Senate? Ditka's name pops up as favorite to replace Rauschenberger as GOP nominee". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights). p. 1.
    Krol, Eric; Patterson, John (July 15, 2004). "Political glare too harsh for Ditka". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights). p. 1.
    Fanselow, Ed (July 15, 2004). "Kendall GOP joke gets Ditka in gear; Tom Cross staffers admit draft-Ditka Web effort started as a lark". The Beacon News. p. A1.
  7. ↑ Rauschenberger Confirms Run For Lt. Governor CBS 2 Chicago December 7, 2005. Retrieved June 7, 2007

External links