NEWARK - Though many see it as a David versus Goliath contest, political newcomer John Laesch, who is challenging Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert in the 14th Congressional district of Illinois, likes his chances.

Laesch, who graduated from Illinois State University four years ago, said latest poll numbers show him trailing Hastert by only 10 percentage points as the election approaches.

The attention paid to the Mark Foley sex scandal, and Hastert's reaction to it as speaker, has increased visibility of Laesch's race against Hastert.

Have you ever sought public office before and what do you think your chances are in challenging the Speaker of the House, who is much better known?

This is my first attempt at public office. I don't want to be a career politician, but I think my chances are good to great.

Has the scandal involving Republican Rep. Mark Foley, who resigned after it was revealed he sent inappropriate e-mails to teenage congressional pages, helped your campaign?

It's called attention to my campaign, resulting in more money and campaign workers. I think the overriding issues, however, will be Iraq and immigration.

What do you do for a living and how do you balance this with campaigning?

"I'm a carpenter, but I've been a full-time candidate since August. I won the Democratic primary with 65 percent of the vote.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in West Africa, where my parents were Christian missionaries. We moved back to the U.S. in the late 1980s. I attended Illinois State University and loved Bloomington-Normal. I felt right at home and it's a great small town with a lot of character.

I understand that you've gotten engaged to your campaign manager?

Yes, Jennifer Downard and I got engaged in May. She was my girlfriend first, then campaign manager. Politics is a game of trust.

John Laesch

Age: 32

Residence: Newark

Occupation: Carpenter and Democratic candidate for U.S. Representative, 14th District of Illinois.

Education: May 2002 graduate of ISU with a major in history and minors in political science and communications

Military Service: Navy veteran, serving as an intelligence analyst in the Middle East

SOURCES: John Laesch and http://john06.com; compiled by Bob Holliday