Politically, I’ve been watching the Mayor’s race in Springfield. Looks like it might be the end of a dynasty. While I won’t count Jim Langfelder out, he’s definitely getting outspent by Misty Buscher; her ads seem to be everywhere.
While nominally non-partisan, the race has some interesting characteristics. You have a bit older male (assumed) Democrat up against a slightly younger female (assumed) Republican. A lot of the serious local / business money looks to be going to her.
Depending on who you talk to, Langfelder this past term has been just so-so with some controversy over homeless shelter plans, etc. Buscher has, mostly, kept her head down and just competently ran the City Treasurer’s Office, although she did declare support for Trump’s re-election at some point.
I guess we’ll find out if local politics trumps national politics. (No pun intended.)
Right now, I’m not scheduled to work the consolidated election, just have to open and close the polling place. But I’ll probably drop in once or twice to make sure the workers don’t have any issues with the building.
A big presence behind Buscher is Frank Vala, Chairman of the Springfield Airport Authority, former Chairman of the Procurement Policy Board, and Sangamon County GOP “presence” … .
Langfelder tried to get Vala replaced as chairman with former mayor Mike Houston, a Republican who is about as popular with the Sangamon County GOP as the Langfelders are with the Sangamon County Democrats. Vala had the Authority report the City to US DOT Inspector General over an issue of free hangar space.
Lots of bad blood here, and the fact the Sangamon County GOP thinks this is their best shot for a “friendly” mayor since Karen Hasara.
RNUG, I’ve been following Spfld mayor race closely too. Went to the forum a few weeks ago, and plan on going to the one later in February. I don’t think she said she’d support Trump’s reelection, but she did support him in 2016. Buscher wasn’t too complimentary about Trump at the forum. Said she supported him because she thought he’d bring jobs to Illinois. She basically said he failed miserably and was a disaster. The unions seem to be supporting Buscher as well. If Langfelder wins, I’d be very surprised, but you never really know until election day is over.
You can never count a Langfelder out in a Springfield election. But a third term may end up being the same white whale for Jim as it was for Ossie. The city isn’t in bad shape, but it’s stagnant. And many view Langfelder as an impediment to progress, whether on addressing homelessness, downtown development or any number of issues. Misty is his toughest opponent yet. She’s got the trade unions and a number of the important civic/business leader types behind her. And more importantly, she’s got their money. Not sure if Sangamon County GOP has formally backed her, but they’re behind her too. Jim has AFSCME and the Sangamon County Democrats actually backed him too, which is kind of a shock. He’s held up better than I thought he would. Will be close though. Feels like a 52-48 race to me.
- Duke Bo Shimmy - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 8:43 am:
Saluki basketball wins again last night.
- very old soil - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 9:01 am:
Rain, snow and fleet. And 35 mph winds. I am so ready for warm weather.
- RNUG - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 9:17 am:
Wind & rain. Rain & wind. At least it should wash all the salt off the roads. 1 day closer to cruise-in / car show season.
- very old soil - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 9:24 am:
But I don’t need 2 to 4 inches of it.
- RNUG - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 9:37 am:
Politically, I’ve been watching the Mayor’s race in Springfield. Looks like it might be the end of a dynasty. While I won’t count Jim Langfelder out, he’s definitely getting outspent by Misty Buscher; her ads seem to be everywhere.
While nominally non-partisan, the race has some interesting characteristics. You have a bit older male (assumed) Democrat up against a slightly younger female (assumed) Republican. A lot of the serious local / business money looks to be going to her.
Depending on who you talk to, Langfelder this past term has been just so-so with some controversy over homeless shelter plans, etc. Buscher has, mostly, kept her head down and just competently ran the City Treasurer’s Office, although she did declare support for Trump’s re-election at some point.
I guess we’ll find out if local politics trumps national politics. (No pun intended.)
Right now, I’m not scheduled to work the consolidated election, just have to open and close the polling place. But I’ll probably drop in once or twice to make sure the workers don’t have any issues with the building.
- Buford - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 9:49 am:
RIP Burt Bacharach
https://youtu.be/5WvZF3_EZJM?t=118
- Dupage Mom - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 10:12 am:
Watching the Wheaton 200 School board election get nasty.
- RNUG - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 10:26 am:
== Springfield loves … ==
Yeah, but Jim isn’t Ozzie … we’ll see in about 2 months.
- Amalia - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 10:37 am:
It’s raining and I have a non covid sore throat. Perfect.
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 11:47 am:
The Illinois College mens basketball team is 20-20-2.
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 11:48 am:
Oops 20-2.
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 11:48 am:
20-2 not 20-20-2 lol.
- Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 11:51 am:
You know what I wasn’t thinking when I got up this morning?
That it had been too long since I’d heard from Pat Quinn.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 12:11 pm:
RNUG -
A big presence behind Buscher is Frank Vala, Chairman of the Springfield Airport Authority, former Chairman of the Procurement Policy Board, and Sangamon County GOP “presence” … .
Langfelder tried to get Vala replaced as chairman with former mayor Mike Houston, a Republican who is about as popular with the Sangamon County GOP as the Langfelders are with the Sangamon County Democrats. Vala had the Authority report the City to US DOT Inspector General over an issue of free hangar space.
Lots of bad blood here, and the fact the Sangamon County GOP thinks this is their best shot for a “friendly” mayor since Karen Hasara.
- Big Dipper - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 12:12 pm:
Interesting that Pat Quinn did not endorse his own running mate for mayor. Maybe he got to know him too well.
- Steve Rogers - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 1:02 pm:
RNUG, I’ve been following Spfld mayor race closely too. Went to the forum a few weeks ago, and plan on going to the one later in February. I don’t think she said she’d support Trump’s reelection, but she did support him in 2016. Buscher wasn’t too complimentary about Trump at the forum. Said she supported him because she thought he’d bring jobs to Illinois. She basically said he failed miserably and was a disaster. The unions seem to be supporting Buscher as well. If Langfelder wins, I’d be very surprised, but you never really know until election day is over.
- RNUG - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 1:47 pm:
== big presence behind Buscher is Frank Vala, ==
- Anyone Remember -, I knew he was one of the big ones pushing her campaign.
- Sangamon Watches - Thursday, Feb 9, 23 @ 5:50 pm:
You can never count a Langfelder out in a Springfield election. But a third term may end up being the same white whale for Jim as it was for Ossie. The city isn’t in bad shape, but it’s stagnant. And many view Langfelder as an impediment to progress, whether on addressing homelessness, downtown development or any number of issues. Misty is his toughest opponent yet. She’s got the trade unions and a number of the important civic/business leader types behind her. And more importantly, she’s got their money. Not sure if Sangamon County GOP has formally backed her, but they’re behind her too. Jim has AFSCME and the Sangamon County Democrats actually backed him too, which is kind of a shock. He’s held up better than I thought he would. Will be close though. Feels like a 52-48 race to me.