Illinois investor/dairy processor/politician Jim Oberweis announced late last month that he hopes to succeed retiring former House Speaker Dennis Hastert in Congress.

Illinois investor/dairy processor/politician Jim Oberweis announced late last month that he hopes to succeed retiring former House Speaker Dennis Hastert in Congress.

It’s his fourth attempt at capturing a major political office, and Oberweis is entering what is expected to be a tough race for the nomination in Hastert’s 14th Congressional District on the western outskirts of Chicago. The GOP field already includes a local mayor and a state senator, according the Chicago Tribune. 

Oberweis finished second for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2002, despite Hastert’s endorsement, and in 2004. The following election, he finished second in his bid for the 2006 Republican nomination for governor. In those three elections, he spent nearly $7 million of his own money, including more than $3.3 million in the primary for governor, the Tribune said.

At least three Democrats have announced their intention, or are considering it, the paper reported.