Folks are being called by Opinion Factor out of Rhode Island.

Thy’re being asked questions that lead me to believe that McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren wants to know the length of his coattails.

They begin with just a name.

They do not mention what position the people have or office they are running for.

They say:

“Lou Bianchi. Do you recognize the name?”

If you say you do they then ask –
Do you – strongly agree with this person

– strongly agree with this person
– strongly disagree
– no opinion

Then they continue in the same manner with

“Dan Regna”
“Pam Palmer”
“Rich Kelly”
“Marlene Lantz”

The last question gives away the game plan.

“If Keith Nygren and his backers support a candidate, would you be more prone to select that candidate?”

Nygren has already sent out mailing in an envelope with a corner card that looks suspiciously like his official badge.

The recipient who gave it to me also got the anonymous mailing from McHenry County Republican Central Committee Chairman Bill LeFew.

Perhaps the poll is to see if Nygren would burn political capital by supporting his allies, McHenry County State’s Attorney candidate Dan Regna, McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer and McHenry County Coroner Marlene Lantz.

If his candidate for state’s attorney wins, he will have inordinate influence over all the law enforcement offices in county government, plus the person who is charged with stopping inappropriate spending.

Nygren has the biggest war chest in McHenry County. It had $136,247.37 as of the end of 2007.