Most politicians have figured out that the public is less accepting of men with beards than those who are clean-shaven.

So, imagine my surprise to see a bearded State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) on television Tuesday night before last arguing for his constitutional amendment to allow the recall of statewide officers, plus state legislators.

You will remember that last week he stripped out recall of judges.

When I looked at the black and white version in the Chicago Tribune, he resembled Roger Stanley, the former GOP state representative who admitting bribing Crystal Lake Illinois State Medical Society super lobbyist Don Udstuen in Udstuen’s role as a member of the Metra board.

But Roger Stanley had bigger hair though.

Could the beard have been grown with a premonition that Franks would have no fall opponent?

Regardless, the deadline has passed and the McHenry County Republican Party has again failed to field an opponent for Franks.

Even though its new chairman is State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake).

This is the second election in a row that the McHenry County Republican Party has given Franks a free ride.

= = = = =
The picture of a broadly smiling State Rep. Jack Franks was taken at a budget hearing on March 19, 2008. The one of State Rep. Mike Tryon was taken at the Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee candidates’ night before the February 5th primary election. Tryon was the McHenry County Republican Central Committee’s presumptive chairman at that point.