Five Republicans have entered the 5th Congressional District’s GOP primary.
Making a return appearance on the ballot is Elias R. Zenkich, 59, a Norridge resident and president of a medical equipment engineering company. Zenkich legally changed his middle name to “Non-Incumbent” when he faced Rostenkowski in the 1992 general election and won 43 percent of the vote. He favors term limits and a balanced budget.
Michael Bendas, 47, is a 43rd Ward resident and a technology manager for a financial institution. A West Point graduate, he served overseas and is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves. He favors health-care reform through cost-containment programs and would like to see civilians trained to fight crime in their communities.
James S. Parker, 53, is a commercial photographer and Chicago resident. He was a 20-year legislative aide to former U.S. Rep. Frank Annunzio until the Democrat retired in 1993. He never has voted in a Republican primary and said he switched parties because he believed Dick Simpson would defeat Rostenkowski. “I think voters will want someone more conservative than Simpson in November,” he said.
James H. Cleland of Chicago formerly taught English and literature at area colleges. He served as the 50th Ward Republican committeeman from 1968 to 1972 and considers himself a “conservative Republican.” The 62-year-old characterizes his positions as “pro-labor, pro-industry, pro-veteran, pro-health-care choice, pro-school choice, pro-family and pro-life.”
Michael Patrick Flanagan, 31, is an attorney who lives on Chicago’s North Side and a former Army captain. He supports term limits but opposes national health care. “I think it is socialism,” he said. He opposes gun bans, but supports some restrictions on purchases. He also opposes abortion.
This is the first contested Republican primary in the district since lines were redrawn for the 1992 contest.