Filing day open thread
Monday, Nov 28, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Today is the first day to file candidate nominating petitions in Illinois. You can take a look at the early filers at the Board of Elections by clicking here.
…Adding… Background…
Toward the front of the line was Lennie Jarratt, a Lake County Tea Party leader who’s running in a probable four-way primary race for Illinois Senate as a Republican. He said he had been in line since 4:30 a.m., standing on the sidewalk with an American flag lawn chair.
“It’s been fun out talking to everybody,” Jarratt said.
Why so early?
Everyone in line at 8 a.m. is eligible to get his or her name listed first on the ballot for that race. Conventional political wisdom and at least one study suggest that being the top name in a crowded field of relative unknowns can boost a candidate’s chances of winning.
At 8 a.m., a state police officer stood at the end of the line, and anyone ahead of the officer is eligible for the top spot. If more than one candidate for any race is in line at the time, the top spot is decided by lottery.
- wordslinger - Monday, Nov 28, 11 @ 11:16 am:
I wonder if Dan Burke is ready to run all those TV spots like he did last time. It was remarkable to see so much TV for a state rep. candidate.
- train111 - Monday, Nov 28, 11 @ 11:26 am:
I doubt that Burke will have to run any adds. District #1 took advantage of Suzana Mendoza becoming City Clerk and was reformatted to keep him from having to run in a primary like last time. Rudy Lozano who challenged him 2 years ago is running in the now open 21st.
train111
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 28, 11 @ 12:04 pm:
What this filing day represents to me is the end of a “united” republican party in Illinois, and we see, in black and white, the fracturing of the Illinois Republican Party, chamber by chamber, seat by seat. There is no one to blame but ourselves.
The primaried will harbor ill will, win or lose, and unlike the democrats, in recent years the “Unity” breakfast for all races seemed more like a time for gloating and sulking instead of regrouping and re-energizing. Many careers are going to rise and many will end. However, with this map, it will be more about the dismanteling of the ILGOP, not the rebirth, with fresh blood, sweat, and tears to build upon.
Is it a sad day? Dunno. But today is the end of the Illinois GOP unlike any time I can remember, simply because what might be left of the party to rebuild might not have anything to build upon.
- Responsa - Monday, Nov 28, 11 @ 1:13 pm:
OW–if I see a demoralized man standing on the street corner holding a cardboard sign that says “DOOM”, and mumbling “THE END IS NEAR”, I will assume it is you and walk over to introduce myself and try to cheer you up.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 28, 11 @ 1:26 pm:
Responsa …
Will you have a flask?
- Cincinnatus - Monday, Nov 28, 11 @ 1:36 pm:
Campaign - Phase I: Complete
- reformer - Monday, Nov 28, 11 @ 6:15 pm:
word
Burke may not need all that TV, since Rudy has his own district now.
I see Mike Boland didn’t file today.
- Blanket - Monday, Nov 28, 11 @ 8:11 pm:
Boland is still out of town for Thanksgiving. He’s going to file later.