County candidates line up for primary ballot spots
By Frank Abderholden fabderholden@stmedianetwork.com November 28, 2011 6:36PM
Waiting in line to file their nomination papers are David Barkhausen (far right) of Lake Bluff, running as a Republican for Lake County Board District 13, who is next to former Lake Forest Mayor Mike Rummel, running as a Republican for District 12. | Thom
Filing for congressional candidates has been delayed until Dec. 23 to Dec. 27 by federal court order because of the Republican Party lawsuit over redistricting. Filing for presidential candidates and delegate and alternate delegate slates is scheduled from Jan. 3 to Jan. 6.
Article Extras
Updated: January 30, 2012 11:28AM
The 2012 primary election got its official start Monday with the first day of filing drawing a large field of candidates for various positions due to the recent redistricting.
Candidates file their petitions on the first day in the hopes of securing the top ballot position and 167 candidates’ petitions were received by the Lake County Clerk’s Office on Monday morning.
Up for nomination in the March 20, 2012, primary are all Lake County Board seats, state’s attorney, coroner and recorder; North Shore Sanitary District trustees. Precinct committeemen from both parties will be elected in the primary.
Lake County candidates for Illinois House and Senate also began filing Monday in Springfield for the primary ballot.
“Everything went extremely smooth. Everyone was cordial and friendly,” said Chief Deputy Clerk Cindy Pagano of the candidates rubbing elbows with people they are going to be running against, along with candidates from different parties.
“The larger number of candidates is due to the redistricting,” she said, but it’s not a record. Candidates have until Dec. 5 to file their petitions, and some prefer to have their name on the bottom of the ballot.
In most races, the candidates will be vying for the top spot on the ballot through a lottery being held Dec. 12 because they all filed at the same time — 8:30 a.m.
The position that drew the most candidates was for Lake County state’s attorney with three Republicans and three Democrats looking to replace longtime State’s Attorney Michael Waller, who is retiring.
On the Republican ballot are Mike Nerheim, Louise Hayes and Bryan Winter, and the Democrats have Karen Boyd Williams, Reginald Mathews and Chris Kennedy, all of whom will be in the lottery.
Pagano said the lists of candidates will be updated around 5 p.m. each day.
So far, there are Democratic primary races in North Shore Sanitary District Ward 1 and Ward 3; Republican race for Lake County circuit court clerk; Democratic race for Lake County coroner; and Republican race for Lake County recorder.
The Lake County Board is shaping up to have Democratic primary races in Districts 2 and 9 and Republican races in Districts 3, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17 and 21. County Board incumbents Bill Durkin, Angelo Kyle, Pat Carey and Susan Loving Gravenhorst have not filed. Stevenson Mountsier has decided to retire.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment