Steve Rauschenberger
Encyclopedia
Steve Rauschenberger 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
. In 2003 he was appointed to the Senate Republican
Leadership team in 2003 as Assistant Republican Leader.
On September 23, 2003, Rauschenberger announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. 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. 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. Rauschenberger's withdrawal was followed by a week of speculation about Mike Ditka
replacing Ryan as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.
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
. 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.
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.
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 Committee
man 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).
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
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
Fab Five
Fab Five may refer to:* Fab Five , the 1991 University of Michigan men's basketball freshman recruiting class* The Fab Five, a 2011 documentary on the above group.* Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal, a 2008 movie...
", the group also included, Peter Fitzgerald, Dave Syverson
Dave Syverson
Dave Syverson is a Republican member of the Illinois Senate representing the 34th district since 1993.-Early life, education and career:He was born June 29, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Rockford in his early childhood...
, Patrick O'Malley and Chris Lauzen
Chris Lauzen
Christopher J. Lauzen is a Republican member of the Illinois State Senate. Lauzen was first elected in 1992, has been re-elected to the State Senate in 1996, 2000, 2002, 2006, and 2010, and ran for Illinois Comptroller in 1998 and Congress in 2008...
. In 2003 he was appointed to the Senate Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Leadership team in 2003 as Assistant Republican Leader.
On September 23, 2003, Rauschenberger announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. 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
United States Senate election in Illinois, 2004
The 2004 United States Senate election in Illinois was held on November 2, 2004. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald decided to retire after one term. The Democratic and Republican primary elections were held in March, which included a total of 15 candidates who combined to spend a...
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. 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
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
who had announced two days earlier having raised $4 million in the second quarter of 2004. Rauschenberger's withdrawal was followed by a week of speculation about Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
replacing Ryan as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.
In 2006 Senator Rauchenberger sought the Republican nomination for IL Governor, but later dropped down the ballot to run for Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
The Lieutenant Governor of Illinois is the second highest executive of the State of Illinois. In Illinois, the lieutenant governor and governor run on a joint ticket, and are directly elected by popular vote. Candidates for lieutenant governor run separately in the primary from candidates for...
as the running mate of Ron Gidwitz. He eventually lost to DuPage County
DuPage County, Illinois
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 916,924, White Americans made up 77.9% of Dupage County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 70.5% of the population. Black Americans made up 4.6% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.3% of Dupage County's population...
States Attorney Joe Birkett
Joe Birkett
Joseph E. Birkett is the DuPage County State’s Attorney and former Republican nominee for Illinois Lieutenant Governor with running-mate Judy Baar Topinka. Birkett has been State’s Attorney since October 1, 1996 when he was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Anthony Peccarelli...
. 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.
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
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
.
Senator Rauschenberger is a native of Elgin, IL where he currently resides with his wife, Betty and their two children, Michael and Henry.
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 Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
man at the 2008 State Convention of the Illinois Republican Party
Illinois Republican Party
The Illinois Republican Party is the state-level affiliate of the Republican Party in Illinois. Since August 20, 2009, it has been chaired by Pat Brady...
, 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).