With Jim Harrison deciding that he is going to run as an Independent in the McHenry County Sheriff’s race next year, it’s time to look at what has happened in the recent past when Independents ran against Republicans.

The most prominent was when State Rep. Mark Beaubien’s widow Dee.

In that contest, Republican David McSweeney was the Republican.

Each spent heavily to demonize the other.

Coming off a contentious three-way GOP primary, McSweeney won 58% to 41%.

Grafton Township’s most recent election had a well-publicized slate of Independents running for election against winners of the Republican Party primary election.

On the top of the ticket was Huntley Village Trustee Pam Fender facing off against Independent Jim Kearns.

Republican Fender, who won a hotly-contested three-way primary election with 39% of the vote, spent about $2,500 in the first quarter of the year. This does not include the week before the election, so more may have been spent.

Independent Kearns won by just under three-quarters of one percent (1944-1877). Kearns has not filed a report with the State Board of Elections. Such reports are required if one raises or spends over $3,000 in an election.

The third recent example also occurred in Grafton Township.

In a two-way race, Al Zielinski beat incumbent Bill Ottley 55% to 45% in the Republican Primary Election.

Zielinski spent a bit over $6,200, filing his report after the required deadline. I can find no campaign disclosure report for Ottley. [Looked again after a commenter said he could find it. The only way I could find it was by using the search word "Huntley" in the name of the town. He spent spent $2,461.21, but reports a negative balance of $461.21, something I believe the State Board does not allow. All the money came from Ottley and his wife.] No report has been filed by Jensen either, but as mentioned earlier, one is only required if the $3,000 threshold has been exceeded.

In the general election, Republican Zielinski edged out Independent Terra Jensen by 5.8 percentage points (1,998-1,774).

There was also a race against Republican nominee for Grafton Township Road Commissioner Tom Poznanski. He won the GOP Primary against Richard Dvorak by 63% to 37%. Poznanski is the Chairman of the Grafton Township Republican Central Committee.

In the April General Election, Poznanski was challenged by Independent Tim Hoeft. Poznanski won by 54-46.

Over in Nunda Township Independent Leda Drain ran against Republican Lee Jennings.

Jennings had a hot primary with three people running. One withdrew her candidacy, but too late for her name to be taken off the ballot.

Jennings barely beat Bridgette Provenzano, but Provenzano endorsed his candidacy in the General Election.

The result was that Jennings got over 57% of the vote. It was Jennings 2,614 and Drain 1,937.

So in the five most recent examples, those on the Republican Party ticket four out of five contests.

If I were Harrison, I would be hoping that the GOP Primary would be so heated that the backers of Bill Prim, if Andy Zinke won the primary, would back me.

Conversely, if Prim emerged victorious, I would be hoping that Zinki’s supporters would rally around my candidacy.

That did not happen, however, in the cases of

• McSweeney
• Zielinski
• Poznanski

It apparently did occur in the case of Jim Kearns victory over Pam Fender.

This is too small a sample from which to draw a conclusion, but it does indicate that when a primary contest in contentious, supporters of those who lose can rally to the campaign of an Independent.

In the case of Independent Jim Kearns’ victory, however, his Republican opponent Pam Fender was opposed by over 60% of the Republican Primary voters.

Expressing dissatisfaction at the lack of uniformity in voting from Republicans in District 6, Larry W. Smith, former owner of Re/Max Heartland North has decided to run for the McHenry County Board.

“I’ve recently sold my business,” he told me, “so I have some time to dedicate to it.”

While retired he continues to be licensed to sell real estate with Prudential First Reality.on

“I got interested because of some information sent out in the primary–A couple of our current reps from the same political party in the same District voting completely opposite on several important issues.”

Mentioned on Smith’s web site are the following issues:

1. Gov. shell games.
2. Unintended Consequences of Growth/Development.
3. County Public Bus Service.
4. Stormwater Ordinance.
5. Contracting for waste hauling in the county. 6) County Housing Dept.

Smith told me that he didn’t think there was enough density to justify a bus service in District 6 and questioned some requirements under the Stormwater Ordinance.

“I’ve been going to the County Board meetings,” he explained, but admitted he “was still learning.”

He has posted the following illustration of the divergent voting records of Reublicans in District 6, but doesn’t tell which two of the three incumbents running for re-election–Ersel Schuster, Diane Evertson and Mary McCann–he is referring to:

Smith also asks,

“Why is our County Board using taxpayer money to pay a lobbyist group in Springfield that is backing numerous bills aimed at curtailing our open government laws?”

“My goal as a County Board member will be to use my experience and what some have referred to as “my common sense approach” to represent the people of District 6 to the best of my ability,” the self-employed business owner in McHenry County for over 30 year posts on his web site.

He states he is a “fiscal conservative.”

Monday is the last day to file petitions to place an Independent’s name on the fall election ballot.

Locally, all eyes will be on Dee Beaubien, who has announced she intends to run against David McSweeney, who beat her candidate, Kent Gaffney, and Danielle Rowe in the March Republican primary election.

DeKalb County Clerk John Adardo has written about what needs to be accomplished and we re-print it below:

Deadlines Approach for Independent Candidates

Are you thinking of running for local office?

Time is running out to throw your hat in the ring.

The filing period for Independent Candidates runs from 8:30 AM on June 18, 2012 through 5:00 PM on June 25, 2012.

[In DeKalb County} independent Candidates must secure a minimum of 117 signatures on their petitions if running for County Board offices or a minimum of 1,460 signatures on their petitions should they choose to run for County-Wide office.

Candidates interested in this opportunity can download forms for local office at
www.dekalbclerk.com.

All information pertaining to State-wide and Federal offices can be found at www.elections.il.gov. Once this period passes, there will not be another opportunity to place your name for consideration on the November ballot.

This begins the “full steam ahead” mode for our Election’s office as we ready all the polls, ballots, and begin training the Election Judges for the November Election.

= = = = =

Candidates in the know wait until the last minute to file petitions in order to get those last signatures and to give the minimum amount of time for opponents to review signatures in preparation for a ballot challenge.

Take a look at the first mailing I’ve found from millionaire Jack Franks’ campaign for re-election.

After figuring out he couldn’t win a primary election for Governor and not wanting to settle for any lower statewide office, Franks decided that running for state representative again was for him.

He’d run hoping that his buddies House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate

President John Cullerton, with whom he vacationed in Ireland last September, would cut him a congressional district containing all of McHenry County and no incumbent.

Of course, if Joe Walsh pulls off an upset victory over Franks buddy Melissa Bean, those plans would have to be arranged.

In any event, Franks is running for re-election as “McHenry County’s Independent Voice.”

Not as “McHenry County’s Leading Democrat.”

No wonder local Democratic Party operatives are not enamored with him.

He has an unholy alliance with McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren. Nygren is listed on Franks’ funding raising host committee and Franks contributes to Nygren fundraisers.

Looks like we have our own John Kass “combine” in McHenry County.

In any event, the mailing appears below.  Click to enlarge either image.

McHenry Grade School and Library Board member is challenging Franks for State Representative.

Yesterday, a fancy mailing arrived from Independent candidate for Governor Scott Lee Cohen.

The best side is one with the headline

There is a Better Choice…

Above the headline are six stick figures holding signs saying,

CAREER
POLITICIAN

On the address side, one can see why it arrived so early:

Early Voting Begins October 11, 2010!

“New Leadership for a New Direction” appears above the address.

On the left are all sorts of ways to contact the candidate.

Inside the candidate’s name is in the largest print, right at the top.

Beneath is “NOT a Career Politician.”

You can click on any of the images to make them large enough to read.

Below is what is inside:

Here’s what the CNN-Time poll is saying about the Governor’s race:

Sally Wiggins has announced her candidacy for the Circuit Court opening in McHenry county.

She, family and friends were gathering signatures at the Crystal Lake TEA Party demonstration April 15th, when she also spoke to those gathered.

She may benefit from those unhappy with the Special Prosecutor initiated by Dan Regna.

Now, she is making a pitch to McHenry County Libertarians the middle of the month.

Here’s the invitation:

“McHenry County Libertarian Party invites you to come hear Attorney Sally (Oeffling) Wiggins, an ‘Independent Candidate’ for Circuit Court Judge for McHenry County.

“She will be speaking at our next meeting on May 13 at 7 PM @ Colonial Cafe   6000 Northwest Hwy # 49 Crystal Lake, IL 60014-8062.

“Come and hear Sally, ask your questions and learn why she should be your choice on election day.”

Associate Judge Gordon Graham is the Republican Party’s nominee.

Local politics is getting more interesting.

A judgeship thought to be a shoe-in for Crystal Lake Associate Judge Gordon Graham, who won a spot on the ballot in an uncontested Republican primary election, may have a second candidate. It was so uninteresting I don’t think I even took a photo of one of his yard signs.

While I just happened onto Sally Oeffling Wiggins’ web site, she has been twittering about it since September 26^th.

Her bio says,

“Sally is currently a partner at the Chicago law firm of Niro Scavone where she leads litigation and trial teams on international cases across the United States and in Europe. She has tried cases in the areas of Employment Law, Municipal Defense, Trade Secret Misappropriation, Contract Law, Trademark Infringement and Patent Infringement. She practices in both state and federal courthouses where she has obtained combined verdicts of over a $100 million dollars.”

She is moving her practice to McHenry County, however.

Wiggins is now gearing up to pass petitions, starting March 23^th, according to the calendar on her internet site. She told me that she needs 4,200 petition signatures by June 12th.

Wiggins is running as an Independent and playing to the anti-party crowd in one of her rotating web site messages:

Below is the letter of introduction on her web page:

Dear McHenry County Voters

Welcome to 2010. As you focus on a fresh start for the New Year, I focus on a fresh start for McHenry County’s judiciary and announce my intent to seek election as Circuit Court Judge for McHenry County (22nd Judicial Circuit) in the November 2, 2010 election.

I ask for your vote this November 2010 because I am qualified, fair and independent. I will run as an Independent Candidate for Circuit Judge because I believe politics have no place in the courtroom. Judges take an oath to uphold and apply the law before them (not make policy) in other words to be independent – and I am.

Born in Harvard, Illinois in 1963, I attended Johnsburg Schools graduating from St. Johns Elementary School in 1977 and Johnsburg High School in 1981. Raised on the Fox River, I caught catfish during the summer and played ice hockey during the winter. Now forty plus years later, my 9 year old son Baylor attends Elementary school in Crystal Lake, plays hockey for Crystal Lake hockey teams, and together with my Mother and two labs, we reside at our home in Woodstock, Illinois.

Indeed, my family roots don’t come from a line of attorneys. Rather, my roots stem from a foundation of hardworking farmers, tradesmen and deep rooted family values here in McHenry County. My grandparents Martha and George Oeffling worked and raised 8 children on a farm in McHenry County. My Father and his brothers worked as carpenters and brick layers throughout McHenry County and my Mother worked jobs, such as cleaning houses. I am the first and only attorney in our family.

I attended National College of Education where I earned a Bachelor of Art. After an established paralegal career, I attended the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, where I was a selected member of the John Marshall honors Moot Court Board, Moot Court Teams and Trial Advocacy Teams. As a young attorney, I clerked for the Honorable Paul E. Plunkett of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago. Thereafter, I was hired as a trial attorney with the law firm of Hervas, Sotos, Condon & Bersani representing municipalities and law enforcement officials.

I am currently a partner at the law firm of Niro, Scavone, Haller & Niro where my litigation practice has taken me to numerous courtrooms across the United States. I have experienced firsthand the importance of efficiency and integrity maintained by many accomplished judges across the United States. During my 15 years as an attorney, I have appeared before numerous judges across the United States gaining experience of an efficient and effective judiciary. I want to bring my court room experience to McHenry County and serve as Circuit Court Judge for McHenry County.

You won’t find me on the February 2, 2010 Primary – and my absence from the February Primary is intentional. “Political” candidates will be running in the February 2010 primary. I am not a “Political” candidate I am an Independent Candidate.

Seeking election as an Independent Candidate requires more work – but hard work has never deterred me, and an independent judiciary is worth the extra effort. My belief system simply will not allow me to run as a “Political Candidate.” Judges should run as Independent Candidates – no political affiliation. A Judge takes an oath to uphold the United States Constitution, the Illinois Constitution and apply the law before her – - not make policy based upon political affiliation. So, look for me on the November 2, 2010 ballot as an Independent Candidate.

How can you support me in my candidacy for an independent judiciary? Prior to the election, I will need your support in many ways, so please visit this website often for ways you can contribute. The first task will be circulating petitions starting March 23, 2010. Please provide your support however you can, here at the tab on this website. If you have any additional questions, call 815-276-9509.

I look forward to your encouragement and support,

Sally Oeffling Wiggins

Independent Candidate for McHenry County Judge