A 27 year old graduate of Elgin's Judson College is close to announcing his intention to run in the 14th CD, taking on attorney Ethan Hastert for the Republican bid to regain Congressman Bill Foster's seat back from the Democrats.

Mark Vargas, who grew up in St. Charles, has been working for the past few years in Iraq for Defense Secretary William Gates. He says he's worked in tough combat conditions to turn around a devastated economy, and believes much of what he's learned in Iraq can be used to build back the economy in his home district. Vargas said while in Iraq, his job was to encourage private investors to bring in job opportunities. During his time nation-building with the Defense Department, he saw Iraqi's unemployment plummet from 50 percent to down to it's present 18 percent.

"When I talk to people here about how bad things were in Iraq and how violence decreased as unemployment decreased, their faces relax as they regain a vision and hope for their future," Vargas said. "We can get out of this economic mess if we can look to the private sector, rather than DC, for answers."

Vargas is well aware of the challenge in taking on Denny Hastert's son in the 14th.  Vargas worked for a short time in Hastert's district office soon after he graduated from Judson, where he was a popular student body president in 2003.   

"I appreciate all I learned while working for the Speaker, but there's a chance to gain back the 14th CD from the Democrats this election, and I'm ready to take on the challenge," Vargas said. "This was a tough decision to make, but grassroots leaders are telling me they're ready to get to work, and so am I." 

Vargas said an official announcement will be coming within the next few weeks.