It’s time to step forward for 2010 campaign
Even the most astute voter might have been a little surprised to see candidates for governor showing up in TV ads before Halloween this year.
After all, the primary election for state seats, county offices and the local Congressional District isn't until next Feb. 2 — Groundhog Day, a somewhat befitting coincidence because, frankly, didn't some of these folks just get elected?
(Andrew A. Nelles/For The Courier-News)
Today formally opens up the 2010 election cycle, with candidates filing their petitions to get on the primary ballot in the hope that they'll be busy shaking hands and talking platforms through the big day on Nov. 2, 2010.
Many names have surfaced (some have even dropped out already), and battle lines are starting to form. Here's a first look at how a year's worth of campaigns shape up.
• Election climate: Long simmering, sure to get heated.
What's a six-letter word for this year's top issue? Budget.
Perhaps with the exception of Doug Johnson, the regional school superintendent, nearly every race in Kane County should be tinged with disagreement over the depth of the budget problems. Sheriff Pat Perez has been front and center in his dismay with the County Board's approach to mid-year cuts and a tighter 2010 proposal. In turn, Perez has been targeted by some board members as unwilling to trim his expenses. He announced his re-election bid Friday as the lone Democrat on the radar. South Elgin resident Rob Russell, and perhaps someone from within the sheriff's office, are the likely Republican challengers. The initial underdog in 2006, Perez is content to sit back and watch a GOP battle in February.
No names have popped up as challengers to County Clerk Jack Cunningham or Treasurer David Rickert. Both had uncontested primaries in 2006 before handily winning in November.
Several longtime County Board members are among those facing re-election including Cathy Hurlbut, Gerry Jones, Rob McConnaughay, Jim Mitchell, Barb Wojnicki and Bill Wyatt — who have combined for 93 years on the board. Wojnicki reportedly faces primary challengers from both sides of the Campton Hills incorporation debate. Other board members with terms ending next year are Deborah Allan, John Fahy, Bob Kudlicki, Sylvia Leonberger, Phil Lewis, John Mayer and Arlene Shoemaker, who returned to the board in 2006 after a 12-year absence.
• Election climate: Cold.
All's been quiet on the Kendall County front so far.
Chairman Anne Vickery, John Purcell, Nancy Martin, Jessie Hafenrichter and Pam Parr are the five County Board members looking at re-election bids. So are Sheriff Richard Randall, who is serving his sixth term as Kendall's top cop, Treasurer Jill Ferko and County Clerk Debbie Gillette. She survived a four-way Republican primary and a Democratic opponent last year to fill out the remainder of former Clerk Paul Anderson's term.
As in Kane County, Kendall has 16th Judicial Circuit judgeships up for grabs, and a newly created position now exists. Two Republicans, Yorkville attorney Robert Pilmer and Kendall County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Reidy, have announced their runs for the spot.
• Election climate: Warming up
State Sen. Chris Lauzen has been in Springfield for 16 years and wants four more. Again, it appears he'll have to work for it as Sugar Grove Village President Sean Michels is poised to oppose the Aurora Republican. State Rep. Kay Hatcher has barely had time to clutter up an office and is already having to fend of a challenger in the 50th District, which covers western Kane and much of Kendall County. Kendall County Republican Chairman Keith Wheeler is expected to provide that opposition.
Other area state reps are up for re-election, such as Linda Chapa LaVia and Tim Schmitz, but haven't said much about it to this point. Neither has anyone looking to unseat them.
One other local connection to the state capital is Republican Robert Enriquez's bid to become secretary of state after halting plans to run for U.S. Senate. Enriquez is an Aurora businessman.
• Election climate: Medium well (compared to early 2008)
It might seem like only yesterday that Foster and Republican Jim Oberweis were throwing dollar-packed punches during the 2008 special election, but Foster has actually served in Washington for a little more than 19 months after twice thrashing the dairyman at the polls. There's no Oberweis in sight this time around, but there are plenty of GOP contenders lining up — including a Hastert — to take Foster down.
What's more, the National Republican Central Committee is already sending regular reminders of what they see as Foster's flaws. NRCC and the Democratic Congressional Central Committee pumped millions into the Foster-Oberweis contests, and will likely get involved again this time.
Republicans likely to square off in February, based on announcements to this point, are Ethan Hastert, son of former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert; State Sen. Randy Hultgren; Elgin resident Mark Vargas; Genevan Jeff Danklefsen and businessman Jim Purcell. Another Republican, former Aurora Alderman Bill Cross, announced for the race and then quickly dropped out.
Auroran Jim Pistorius has said he'll take on Foster in the primary, but, for his part, Foster seems focused on Republicans. His campaign recently announced Foster had about $800,000 in available cash, outdistancing Ethan Hastert by around $580,000. Foster also touted better recent fundraising results than either Hastert or Hultgren.
