Mason announces run for 6th Congressional District

A Naperville Democrat has announced he will take on U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Wheaton, in the race for the 6th Congressional District.

Naperville resident Michael Mason, 60, criticized Roskam, the chief deputy whip, saying residents are “waiting for him to do something about job creation. We’re waiting for him to work for us instead of the special interests that fund his campaigns and pay for his junkets. … We’re tired of waiting for Peter Roskam.”

Roskam’s representatives were offered a chance to respond to Mason’s comments but had not yet done so as of Tuesday evening. As it stands, the candidates would meet in the general election slated for Nov. 4, 2014.

Roskam’s district includes northeast Kane County through the center of DuPage County, Algonquin Township in McHenry County, and southwest Lake and northwest Cook counties.

Mason said “there is an opportunity” to unseat Roskam. He said Roskam “just hasn’t done” what constituents want.

He said his background as the retired manager of the Great Lakes Area Distribution/Networks Office for the U.S. Postal Service would help prepare him for the job.

He said he improved the efficiency of large, complex systems. He said he never has run for an office, but said “it just seemed like now is a good time for me to get more involved.”

Mason said it’s time for people to work “across the aisles.” In a news release, Mason pointed out that as the chief deputy whip, Roskam “is charged with ensuring that all House Republicans vote to support the GOP leadership’s agenda.”