Moderate not challenging Bean Republican Beaubien says congresswoman is tough to beat

He would have been the only moderate Republican in a race fillingup with conservatives, but state Rep. Mark Beaubien said Monday hewill not join the crowd hoping to get a chance to unseat DemocraticRep. Melissa Bean.

"She is going to be very difficult to beat," Beaubien said. "Shehas made some mistakes -- we all do -- but overall, she is a veryRepublican vote. She is a very, very, very hard worker. She is hereevery weekend."

Beaubien, 62, of Barrington, said he is confident he could havedefeated Bean, who ousted Republican Phil Crane in the north suburban8th congressional district last year.

But Beaubien said he does not want to give up his leadershipposition …