Question of the day
Monday, Sep 28, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Capitol City Now…
While political candidates generally love to talk about themselves, Sangamon County Recorder Frank Lesko says there’s one thing he’ll never tell: who will receive his vote for governor.
“I am a citizen,” said Lesko, “and I firmly believe that you are entitled to your vote. And that vote is one privacy that you have when you go into the voting booth.” Incumbent State Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) noted “it’s very telling that the Republican candidate for state Senate will not say that he is for the Republican (Darren Bailey) running for governor.” Turner is an enthusiastic supporter of Democrat incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker.
* The Question: What do you think of candidates who won’t say who they’re voting for? Make sure to explain your answer in comments.
- Remember the Alamo II - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 12:31 pm:
I think it is generally a nothingburger, but as stated above, it can be telling when a candidate will not openly support another candidate from their party. It may be a reflection of poor leadership skills.
- ok - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 12:35 pm:
Bizarre effort to appease both sides. Why not just endorse the third-party candidate at that point?
- Stephanie Kollmann - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 12:37 pm:
Who you’re willing to vote for is a sign of what you’re willing to overlook and this is important information for voters to have about candidates, no matter the type of office they run for.
- Think Again - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 12:39 pm:
= Sangamon County Recorder Frank Lesko…there’s one thing he’ll never tell: who will receive his vote for governor=
I’m with Frank; who you vote for is between you and your maker - no need to divulge it. Folks in my family have sacrificed and died to preserve that right.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 12:39 pm:
It’s a very curious choice for someone who wants me to trust their judgement.
– MrJM
- Louis G Atsaves - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 12:47 pm:
Does a county recorder really have to disclose who he will be voting for Governor of Illinois? If this were a statewide candidate, I would raise an eyebrow or two, but a county candidate?
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 12:48 pm:
“And that vote is one privacy that you have when you go into the voting booth.”
Totally true. That is a fact. And when you see a Republican candidate tell the truth, it is pure desperation.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 12:51 pm:
I think it’s important regardless but he’s running for state senate.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 12:55 pm:
== who you vote for is between you and your maker - no need to divulge it. Folks in my family have sacrificed and died to preserve that right==
what silliness
- oh my - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 12:58 pm:
Very weak. A lot of voters don’t like Darren Bailey it’s true, but voters are even less enthused about a politician like Frank Lesko who won’t even take a stand on the candidate heading the party ticket he’s running on. I mean sheesh.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 1:06 pm:
Regardless of whether a candidate announces it or not, in 99% of cases, we know which way they will vote in the privacy of the polling booth. In a few cases, a candidate will cross over and vote for the other party in a race or two. But they almost always announce that. If the candidate won’t say, assume the vote is for his party’s candidate. If he/she makes a big deal about not answering the question, assume his party’s candidate is a real loser.
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 1:09 pm:
Meh, who cares. This isn’t going to sway any voters whether Lesko says he’s voting for Bailey or for Pritzker. I think it says more about Bailey’s chances than Lesko’s. Lesko’s candidacy speaks for itself–it seems he never met an office he didn’t run for.
- Banish Misfortune - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 1:11 pm:
If you can’t even tell me who you think would be best at running the state, don’t ask me to trust your judgement on anything.
- Demoralized - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 1:12 pm:
@Louis:
He’s running for the State Sentate.
- Dotnonymous x - Monday, Sep 28, 26 @ 1:12 pm:
- who you vote for is between you and your maker - no need to divulge it. Folks in my family have sacrificed and died to preserve that right. -
Could you be more dramatic?