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Coining himself the "jobs candidate," Chicago businessman John Cox launched his third campaign for public office Tuesday at the Southern Illinois Airport by announcing his candidacy for the U.S. Congress seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Peter Fitzgerald.
Cox joined a handful of other candidates vying for the Republican nomination for the empty seat. Last week, Andrew McKenna Jr., president of Schwarz Paper Co. in Morton, joined Jack Ryan in the GOP Senate race.
Cox stressed the importance of American jobs and the economy during campaigns this year during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon.
"This is going to be a make-or-break seat for getting jobs out there," he said. "This is also an opportunity to make a stand against the corruption that has permeated Illinois politics for so long."
Cox alluded to Scott Fawell, the chief of staff and campaign boss to former Gov. George Ryan who was sentenced to a 78-month prison term Monday in connection with funding scandals in the governor's office.
Cox said his campaign would get back to the grass roots. He intends to focus on the individual voters and develop policies to help them rather than fool policy based on contributors.
Cox, a 47-year-old millionaire from Glenview, reportedly spent $500,000 of his money in campaigning for a congressional bid in 2000 and $1 million in his Senate run last year.
Ryan, a former investment broker, promised to spend $6 million in his Senate run.
Cox said he intends to focus more on people than money while on the campaign trail. His last campaign enlisted 11,000 volunteers, and he's hoping for 10 times that amount this year.
"We're trying to get the average citizen interested in politics again," he said.
Chairman for Regional Transportation Authority Thomas McCracken, dairy owner and investment manager James D. Oberweis and State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger of Chicago are reportedly also considering bids.
Blair Hull, the first to open a campaign for the Senate seat, also made official his bid for the Democratic ballot weeks ago.
Other Democratic candidates include State Comptroller Daniel Hynes, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, trial attorney John Simmons and Chicago School Board President Gery Chico.
Fitzgerald, a first-term Senator, announced April 15 that he would not seek re-election, starting a scramble on both sides to fill the seat.
Cox said that, in the end, the victor would be made by economic policy.
"Which plan do you think is better?" he asked. "Those who want the government to create jobs will vote Democratic, and those who want the money to go to the private sector will vote Republican.
