McHenry County Blog

The group that made robo-calls on behalf of the successful fight ban on video poker in unincorporated McHenry County to county board members has released its rankings.

They are not endorsements. They are lists of how people either responded to questionnaires or what the public record shows a candidate’s positions are.

Let’s look at the contested 8th District race for the Republican nomination for Congress.

First, let’s point out that Republican Gregory Jacobs and Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer did not return a questionnaire. It appears that Melissa Bean did not either, but answers have been pulled from her public record.

So, the following prospective challengers answered the IFI questionnaire:

• Dirk Beveridge
• John Dawson
• Christopher Geissler
• Maria Rodriguez
• Joe Walsh

Disagreement among these Republicans was found on giving homosexual and transsexual individuals protected class status in the workplace on which Dawson disagreed with the opposition of the others and repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which Geissler opposed, with the others in favor.

The first issue was

“Tax Increase/Cap and Trade — will tax energy consumption to combat “global warming.” (American Clean Energy and Security Act – 2009).”

All the Republican candidates providing answers opposed the measure. Incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean supported it.

The second issue involved

H.R 1913–”Hate Crimes” legislation — allows 2 identical crimes to be prosecuted differently if one victim is homosexual, a cross dresser or transsexual.”

All the Republican candidates answering opposed the measure. Incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean supported it.

Third was H.R.3017 & S.1584:

“Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 (ENDA) — gives homosexual and transsexual individuals protected class status in the workplace.”

Four of the six candidates replying opposed this concept. John Dawson joined Bean in supporting it, the voter guide reports.

Fourth on the questionnaire was

“REPEAL of Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) — the repeal of the only federal law that prevents homosexual “marriage” from becoming legal across the country (H.R.3567 – 2009)”

Again the five replying opposed repeal, while Bean’s position remains unknown to IFI.

The fifth question was

“Government Health Care — A government managed insurance plan that includes a “Public Option” similar to Medicare. (H.R.3200, H.R.3962 or U.S. Senator Max Baucus’ plan – 2009).”

Again, it was Republicans opposed, Bean in favor.

Sixth issue on the list was

“Defund A.C.O.R.N. Act (H.R.3571 – 2009).”

Everyone supported that.

Question number seven concerns the

“Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2006 — requires abortionists to tell mothers about fetal development and the capacity of preborn children to feel pain. (H.R.6099 – 2006).”

This is supported by the five responding candidates in the GOP primary. Bean’s position is unknown.

Eighth on the list of issues was

“REPEAL of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — would repeal the law that prohibits openly practicing homosexuals from serving in the military. (H.R.1283 – 2009).”

our of the five Republicans said, “No.” Christopher Geissler is reported opposing repeal. No position is reported for Bean.

“Requiring the 2010 census to include the question “Are you a citizen of the United States of America?” (Senate Amendment 2644 to H.R.2847 – 2009)”

is ninth on the IFI questionnaire.

Bean’s position is not known, but the five Re;publicans agreed.

Last on the list of ten questions is

“Transfer of prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to U.S. facilities. (H.R.2647, Sec. 1041 of Conference Report – 2009).”

Democrat Bean supports the move, while the Republican candidates replying were in opposition.

Woodstock’s Jonathan Farnick was passing petitions at the August 26th meeting of the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee.

“A person with her voting record doesn’t deserve re-election,” Farnick told me.

Now, Democrats are trying to kick him and 8th congressional district Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer off the ballot.

No one from the left side of the political spectrum apparently is considered eligible to run against incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean.

Two years ago, Farnick filed as a Democratic Party candidate and Scheurer’s wife Randi, who was also a candidate against Bean in the primary, filed a successful objection against his candidacy and won. It was based on Farnick’s having too few petition signatures.Gregory Ferritto, 1526 Anderson Trail in Zion, is the challenger to Bill Scheurer’s petitions.

Same with Farnick.

It appears the same Ferritto challenged Green Party candidate Iain Abernathy in 2008. At that time Ferritto sported a Winthrop Harbor address.

He works for the Post Office and has contributed to the Committee On Letter Carriers Political Education.

There were not challenges among six Republicans running in the 8th district GOP primary.

= = = = =

Jonathon Farnick is seen at the top of the story; Bill Scheurer at the bottom.

Before the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee at the Farm Bureau building in Woodstock, I met Jonathon Farnick.

He’s gathering signatures to run against 8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean in the February Democratic primary election.

So far, he has gotten 259 signatures and needs something under 1,000 good signatures. He realizes the need to get a cushion in order to withstand a challenge from Bean supporters.

Why is he running?

“In a democracy you should have people to vote for and I don’t want to be a resident of the 8th District and see only one person running for that seat,” the Woodstock resident told me.

“Nothing’s changed since two years ago. A person with her voting record doesn’t deserve re-election.

“Removing habeas corpus protections is a deal breaker,” he said referring to either the Military Commissions Act or the John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007.

“There’s been so many, I can’t keep track.”

When introduced as a guest to the almost 30 people in the room, Farnick said,

“I’d like to see a Democrat in here because for the last couple of years we haven’t had one.”

Farnick tried to get on the ballot two years ago.

When I interviewed him, he knew that Randi Scheurer was running against Bean in the Democratic primary, but had a disagreement with what he perceived to be her stand on abortion.

Both, however, could have been characterized as anti-war or peace candidates.

Scheurer challenged Farnick’s petitions for having too few signatures. Farnick withdrew his candidacy.

Election results for Bean over the years can be found in this article about Bill Scheurer’s intention to run as the Green Party candidate for the 8th District seat in Congress.

The Scheurer family has decided to take part in a fourth election cycle challenge to 8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean.

2004

In 2004, Bill Scheurer ran against Bean in the Democratic Party primary election. Bean received 26,704 votes to Scheurer’s 7,518.

During that same primary election, Crystal Lake Park Board member Dave Phelps challenged the longest serving Republican in Congress, Phil Crane.

Crane won the primary 35,412 to 16,146.

Bean went on to beat Crane 139,792 to 130,601.

2006

The second time around in 2006, Scheurer formed his own political party, the Moderate Party.

Bean ran unopposed in the Democratic Party primary.

Republicans had a free-for-all with Dave McSweeney garnering more primary votes than Bean’s 23,375.

McSweeney bested Kathy Salvi 25,085 to 19,370. State Rep. Bob Churchill received 9,169 and three other candidates–Aaron Lincoln, Ken Arnold and Jim Mitchell–received less than 3,000 apiece.

The campaign was highlighted by McBeaney, a half-donkey, half-elephant creature you see in its Beanie Baby form you see above next to Scheurer at the Lake County Fair. Below it is the parade version standing next to a person pretending to be President George W. Bush. The donkeyphant was named after Bean and her Republican opponent Dave McSweeney.

The 2006 campaign was filled with cute gimmicks, all of which the Main Stream media ignored. Above is one that says,

With the TEA Party demonstrations locally, that idea will probably have to be re-worked for 2010.

In any event, the fall elections turned out with Bean on top:

• Melissa Bean – 93,355
• David McSweeney – 80,720
• Bill Scheurer – 9,312
• Jonathan Farnick (a write-in) – 7

Scheurer’s Moderate Party candidacy, however, garnered more than 5% of the vote thought, thus earning it “established party status.” That means far fewer signatures have to be gathered than parties with no track record.

2008

In 2008, Randi Scheurer took on Bean in the Democratic Party primary, while I expected Bill to take the third party route.

Bean won the primary 64,255 to 12,968.

The Republicans had a three-way primary that turned out like this:

• Steve Greenberg – 29,261
• Kirk Morris – 11,640
• Ken Arnold – 10,289

Instead of Scheurer, Iain Abernathy was heading to the ballot as the Moderate Party candidate. Scheurer urged his supporters to back the Green Party. Abernathy moved over, was slated and, then, was removed from the ballot.

In the general election, Bean triumphed over Greenberg 179,444 to 116,081.

2010

As the 2010 election calendar began, word reached McHenry County Blog that Bill Scheurer was going to run against Bean on the Green Party ticket.

It doesn’t take many signatures–only 36–because the Green Party is an established state party based on its gubernatorial candidate’s having received 10% of the vote in 2006 when Rod Blagojevich and Judy Baar Topinka were the power parties’ candidates.

I asked why Scheurer was running?

His answer:

“to discover a ‘new politics of good will’ to help heal the bitter & violent divides of ‘us vs. them’ politics in our society” and

“to raise important issues & viewpoints that neither of the incumbent-party candidates will address in our district.”

I asked if his candidacy had had any effect on Bean’s behavior yet.

“We doubt the incumbent cares about our campaign,” he replied.

“She values campaign funding & party machinery.

“We have neither.”

A favorite has not yet emerged from the Republican Party.

Former one-term Crystal Lake High School District 155 board member John Dawson and Greg Jacobs, a retired Cook County Sheriff’s deputy have announced interest in representing the GOP next year.

Here is the press release that 8th congressional Republican candidate Steve Greenberg about Melissa Bean’s continuing refusal to debate her opponents. The last debate I remember is the Northwest Herald-sponsored debate she participated in at McHenry County College before Labor Day, 2006.

My impression of her performance was that Dave McSweeney and Bill Scheurer made her more than a bit defensive.

Feeling the Heat, Bean Tries New Strategy to Avoid Public Debates
Running Tally: 7 Forums Skipped So Far by Bean

LAKE ZURICH 10/8/08 – With the bailout bill passed and the House in recess, Democrat Melissa Bean has run out of excuses as to why she will not debate Congressional Candidate Steve Greenberg.

Now,in desperation, she is resorting to new tactics: responding to forum invitations too late to inform the public, refusing to share a stage with Greenberg, and closing down potential forums to the voters.

“If this isn’t a sign that Melissa Bean is ashamed of her record, I don’t know what is,” said Greenberg. “I challenged her to three public debates a month ago, and now her campaign is resorting to stealth tactics rather than accepting the challenge. Does she really believe the voters do not have the right to ask questions and see us discuss the issues?”

Recent rumors have indicated that Melissa Bean may attend an upcoming forum held by the League of Women Voters in Palatine, but Bean’s office will not confirm, meaning that if she does attend there will not be time to advertise and attendance will be at a minimum. In addition, since these rumors began, several interesting new “rules” have closed the forum to the public. Lastly, Antioch High School was notified that while there is no guarantee that Bean would attend their forum, she would not share the stage with Greenberg if she did.

Forums/Debates Avoided by Bean to Date:

September 14th – Lake County Right to Life Candidates Forum
September 17th – League of Women Voters of Barrington Candidate Forum
September 20th – Lake Barrington Shores Candidate Forum
September 25th – Schaumburg Business Association Candidate Forum
September 29th – Lakes Community High School Candidate Forum
October 2nd – Illinois Retired Teachers Association Candidate Forum
October 4th – YWCA Candidate Forum in Wauconda

Here is the press release that 8th congressional Republican candidate Steve Greenberg about Melissa Bean’s continuing refusal to debate her opponents. The last debate I remember is the Northwest Herald-sponsored debate she participated in at McHenry County College before Labor Day, 2006.

My impression of her performance was that Dave McSweeney and Bill Scheurer made her more than a bit defensive.

Feeling the Heat, Bean Tries New Strategy to Avoid Public Debates
Running Tally: 7 Forums Skipped So Far by Bean

LAKE ZURICH 10/8/08 – With the bailout bill passed and the House in recess, Democrat Melissa Bean has run out of excuses as to why she will not debate Congressional Candidate Steve Greenberg.

Now,in desperation, she is resorting to new tactics: responding to forum invitations too late to inform the public, refusing to share a stage with Greenberg, and closing down potential forums to the voters.

“If this isn’t a sign that Melissa Bean is ashamed of her record, I don’t know what is,” said Greenberg. “I challenged her to three public debates a month ago, and now her campaign is resorting to stealth tactics rather than accepting the challenge. Does she really believe the voters do not have the right to ask questions and see us discuss the issues?”

Recent rumors have indicated that Melissa Bean may attend an upcoming forum held by the League of Women Voters in Palatine, but Bean’s office will not confirm, meaning that if she does attend there will not be time to advertise and attendance will be at a minimum. In addition, since these rumors began, several interesting new “rules” have closed the forum to the public. Lastly, Antioch High School was notified that while there is no guarantee that Bean would attend their forum, she would not share the stage with Greenberg if she did.

Forums/Debates Avoided by Bean to Date:

September 14th – Lake County Right to Life Candidates Forum
September 17th – League of Women Voters of Barrington Candidate Forum
September 20th – Lake Barrington Shores Candidate Forum
September 25th – Schaumburg Business Association Candidate Forum
September 29th – Lakes Community High School Candidate Forum
October 2nd – Illinois Retired Teachers Association Candidate Forum
October 4th – YWCA Candidate Forum in Wauconda

Two years ago, 8th congressional district incumbent Congresswoman Melissa Bean debated Republican David McSweeney and Moderate Party candidate Bill Scheurer once. That debate was the day after Labor Day and sponsored by the Northwest Herald. Newspapers wrote about the gloves being “off” and it’s being “a doozy.”

Considering it is now later than that 2006 debate, my guess is that Bean will not debate at all.

Nevertheless, Republican Steve Greenberg has issued this challenge:

Steve Greenberg Issues Debate Challenge to
Melissa Bean

LAKE ZURICH 9/10/08 – Congressional Candidate Steve Greenberg issued a formal debate challenge to Congresswoman Melissa Bean today. Greenberg challenged Bean to a minimum of three public debates in the 8th District in September and October.

“The voters in the 8th District must have the opportunity to ask questions of their Congressional candidates in order to determine who they want to lead them through this time of economic hardship,” said Greenberg. “I proudly stand by my record and talk openly about where I stand on the issues. It is about time Melissa Bean stands on stage with me and answers for her voting record. I know many voters who want to know why she continues to vote against lowering energy prices. “

Greenberg sent a formal request via email, fax and mail to Bean’s Congressional offices in Washington, DC and in Schaumburg and to her campaign PO Box in Barrington.

Two years ago, 8th congressional district incumbent Congresswoman Melissa Bean debated Republican David McSweeney and Moderate Party candidate Bill Scheurer once. That debate was the day after Labor Day and sponsored by the Northwest Herald. Newspapers wrote about the gloves being “off” and it’s being “a doozy.”

Considering it is now later than that 2006 debate, my guess is that Bean will not debate at all.

Nevertheless, Republican Steve Greenberg has issued this challenge:

Steve Greenberg Issues Debate Challenge to
Melissa Bean

LAKE ZURICH 9/10/08 – Congressional Candidate Steve Greenberg issued a formal debate challenge to Congresswoman Melissa Bean today. Greenberg challenged Bean to a minimum of three public debates in the 8th District in September and October.

“The voters in the 8th District must have the opportunity to ask questions of their Congressional candidates in order to determine who they want to lead them through this time of economic hardship,” said Greenberg. “I proudly stand by my record and talk openly about where I stand on the issues. It is about time Melissa Bean stands on stage with me and answers for her voting record. I know many voters who want to know why she continues to vote against lowering energy prices. “

Greenberg sent a formal request via email, fax and mail to Bean’s Congressional offices in Washington, DC and in Schaumburg and to her campaign PO Box in Barrington.

Iain Abernathy apparently signed the paperwork to make himself the Green Party candidate for congress in the 8th congressional district against incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean and Republican challenger Steve Greenberg.

Nothing too strange about that, except state law says the nominating committee shall be made up of elected precinct committeemen.

While the Green Party had elected precinct committeemen in McHenry County, the Greens apparently had none in Lake County.

The State Board of Elections, which is evenly divided between the two power parties, decided that Abernathy could not be on the ballot this fall.

“The nominating committee which selected candidate Iain Abernathy was not properly constituted as the candidate, who was not a lawful member of the 8th District Congressional Committee, participated in and voted at the meeting of said Congressional Committee thereby tainting the decision of the Committee,”

the ruling said.

The board’s conclusion:

“As a result of the unlawful composition and conduct of the meeting referred to in paragraph A., the Resolution to Fill the Vacancy in Nomination that was executed at said meeting and filed with the State Board of Elections is not valid.”

Abernathy began the election cycle as Bill Scheurer’s Moderate Party candidate Abernathy Taints His Own Nomination for Congress for congress in the 8th. Then Scheurer urged Moderate Party members to join the Green Party.

Next, the Greens announced the slating of Abernathy. This candidacy was challenged Gregory Ferritto by Waukegan’s Gregory Ferritto.

Abernathy can appeal the election board decision in court.

Abernathy’s attorney was Scott Summers, who is the Green Party candidate for congress in the neighboring 16th congressional district. Summers’ Green Party slating was not challenged, although a Barrington Hills contributor of Democratic Party candidate and Barrington Hills Village President Robert Abboud did so successfully after Summers filed petition signatures for the Green Party primary election.

Iain Abernathy apparently signed the paperwork to make himself the Green Party candidate for congress in the 8th congressional district against incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean and Republican challenger Steve Greenberg.

Nothing too strange about that, except state law says the nominating committee shall be made up of elected precinct committeemen.

While the Green Party had elected precinct committeemen in McHenry County, the Greens apparently had none in Lake County.

The State Board of Elections, which is evenly divided between the two power parties, decided that Abernathy could not be on the ballot this fall.

“The nominating committee which selected candidate Iain Abernathy was not properly constituted as the candidate, who was not a lawful member of the 8th District Congressional Committee, participated in and voted at the meeting of said Congressional Committee thereby tainting the decision of the Committee,”

the ruling said.

The board’s conclusion:

“As a result of the unlawful composition and conduct of the meeting referred to in paragraph A., the Resolution to Fill the Vacancy in Nomination that was executed at said meeting and filed with the State Board of Elections is not valid.”

Abernathy began the election cycle as Bill Scheurer’s Moderate Party candidate Abernathy Taints His Own Nomination for Congress for congress in the 8th. Then Scheurer urged Moderate Party members to join the Green Party.

Next, the Greens announced the slating of Abernathy. This candidacy was challenged Gregory Ferritto by Waukegan’s Gregory Ferritto.

Abernathy can appeal the election board decision in court.

Abernathy’s attorney was Scott Summers, who is the Green Party candidate for congress in the neighboring 16th congressional district. Summers’ Green Party slating was not challenged, although a Barrington Hills contributor of Democratic Party candidate and Barrington Hills Village President Robert Abboud did so successfully after Summers filed petition signatures for the Green Party primary election.