John Dennis Hastert (born January 2, 1942) is an American politician. He has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1987, representing (map), and served as Speaker of the House from 1999 to 2007. Originally elevated to the Speakership on January 6, 1999, he surpassed Joseph Gurney Cannon as the longest-serving Republican Speaker in history on June 1, 2006.

John Laesch (born January 29 1974)Is an announced candidite in the 2008 Democratic primary election in Illinois' 14th congressional district. He was the 2006 Democratic candidate for US Representative of the 14th District of Illinois. He ran against Republican incumbent Dennis Hastert, the Speaker of the House. Laesch is member of the Fighting Dems, former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who ran for election to the Congress in 2006.