Dupage Policy Journal

A recent ad from U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Illinois) reveals his opponent has served for several years as a Washington, D.C., lobbyist, despite running an outsider campaign.

Sean Casten is a green energy entrepreneur challenging Roskam for his 6th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He sought federal subsidies for one or more of his companies, the ad alleges. 

Bloomberg.com lists Casten as CEO and president of Recycled Energy Development LLC.

Sean Casten

“Candidate Casten claims he’s against government handouts for corporations,” Roskam’s TV ad states. “But as a failing CEO, he repeatedly lined his own pockets with special interest taxpayer handouts. Even worse, Casten was also a federal lobbyist, begging Congress for more special interest tax breaks. Casten promises one thing but does another. With shady Sean Casten, it’s special interest tax breaks for him and higher taxes for you.”

A press release from Roskam’s campaign said Casten had recently struck a deal with state House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) to raise funds in Washington, D.C., while backing tax hikes for Illinois citizens.

“On the campaign trail, Casten has stood by his aggressive tax hike agenda to raise at least five separate taxes – and repeatedly misrepresented the benefits of the competitive corporate tax rate as ‘handouts for corporations,’” the release said.

The 6th U.S. House District covers the communities of Crystal Lake, Darien, Elgin, Naperville, Oakbrook Terrace, Rolling Meadows, St. Charles, Warrenville, West Chicago and Wheaton.