Illinois State Senator Chris Lauzen is in the running for Illinois’ 14th Congressional District seat.

Lauzen, a Republican representing the 25th District in the state Senate, announced his candidacy Sept. 19 with the slogan, “Faith, Family and the Fruits of Freedom.”

Lauzen said he wants to encourage widespread participation.

“Good government is good politics, and that’s about strengthening grassroots,” Lauzen said. “We allow big money to play too big a role.”

In keeping with his campaign’s focus on integrity in office, he said he has a record of keeping promises made on the campaign trail.

“Talk is cheap; it’s easy for people to make promises. I have a 15-year record for keeping campaign promises,” Lauzen said.

Lauzen was an accountant before running for state Senate in 1992. He said his background in accounting served him well in public office. Having made his way through receiving a bachelor’s degree and MBA, Lauzen is continuing his education.

“Students may not know I’m going to NIU, too,” Lauzen said. “I’ve spent most of my Saturdays over the last three years out at Northern Illinois.”

Lauzen is working toward his doctorate in education finance.

His campaign Web site portrays Lauzen as a traditional conservative.

“I am unambiguously pro-life, pro-Constitution, including the Second Amendment, pro-traditional family, and anti-amnesty for illegal immigration. I will defend our right to keep the words ‘In God We Trust’ on our currency and the words ‘One Nation Under God’ in our Pledge of Allegiance,” Lauzen said on his Web site.