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* There have been rumblings about the Republicans backing a Democratic primary candidate against House Speaker Michael Madigan. Greg Hinz profiles one new entrant…
A press release announcing a race by 25-year-old Michelle Piszczor — an Hispanic woman in an increasingly Latino district — hit my email today.
The release includes a neat picture of Ms. Piszczor and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as a link to a professional-looking website that talks about her and her record.
The release says Ms. Piszczor, who is described as a Chicago native and University of Texas Pan-American graduate, knows “what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck,” but says Mr. Madigan “doesn’t have to struggle financially (and) does not connect with the community or provide solutions for their concerns.”
But the media contact on the release won’t say where Ms. Piszczor works, saying the candidate would answer that and any other questions I might have when she calls.
Actually, three Democratic candidates filed to run against Madigan today. That would make sense if MJM was attempting to dilute the opposition in anticipation of a GOP plant. “The more the merrier” is the standard procedure in primary races.
Ms. Piszczor’s website was registered through Hamilton and Bond Advertising, Inc., located in Montgomery, IL.
A Republican has also filed, Robert Handzik. Mr. Handzik filed to run for 13th Ward Republican Committeeman as well.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Impressive news in a press release…
State Senator Dave Koehler will officially launch his campaign for re-election later today when he delivers his paperwork and petitions to the State Board of Elections in Springfield tomorrow. Under Illinois law, candidates for the Illinois Senate must submit petitions with the the signatures of at least 1,000 people who support their candidacy. Koehler collected more than 4,000 signatures in two days after he decided he could best serve the people Central Illinois by remaining in the State Senate.
“It’s been a monumental undertaking to collect all the signatures needed to get on the ballot in a single weekend,” Koehler said. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I’ve received from the people of Peoria, Tazewell, and Fulton Counties. I really want to thank all of the volunteers who helped me collect three times the number of signatures I needed.”
Under Illinois law, candidates are only allowed to submit 3,000 signatures. Each signature must come from a registered voter who lives in the candidate’s district. Most candidates collect their signatures over the course of weeks, and many submit far less than Koehler’s 4,020.
Also, Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno has a new primary opponent.
…Adding… If you’re wondering about Joe Walsh’s big announcement today, we’re still waiting. I sent him an email message not long ago and even tried posting on his Facebook page. No response yet.
*** UPDATE 2 *** I’m not quite positive yet, but it appears that NFL linebacker Napoleon Harris has filed for retiring Sen. James Meeks’ seat. He’s from the area and he’s not playing at the moment.
…Adding… I was able to track down Harris’ cell phone number, but he didn’t answer. Stay tuned.
…Adding more… A friend of mine ran into him on the campaign trail, so it’s confirmed. The football player is running.
…Adding still more… Harris’ campaign website is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 2:44 pm
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Ah hijinks. Yes they always fail and just waste everyone’s time. But THIS TIME they might not!
Comment by Dirt Digger Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 2:45 pm
Actually if this is same person, she did good in college at least…
http://ur.utpa.edu/sotweek/2007/piszczor.html
Comment by OneMan Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 2:55 pm
It would take a lot of money and a great ground game. If Tom Cross can come up with either, some of his incumbents might be interested to have a taste.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 2:56 pm
OneMan, it’s the same person. Word, the word going around was they had a sugar daddy willing to cough up the cash.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 3:00 pm
Re: Hamilton and Bond. The president is Stan Bond, a village trustee in Montgomery and Republican precinct committeeman. (Sugar Grove 2, Kane County)
Comment by Still Stuck with Sen. CPA Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 3:04 pm
Well, there are now 4 houses not getting their garbage picked up until the Primary.
===It would take a lot of money and a great ground game.===
word … the money, I grant you, is possible … but have you seen the last few “attempts” by the GOP at a ground game? It’s more like “running it into the ground” then a ground game.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 3:11 pm
Another democratic machine incumbent is facing a challenge in Will County. Leonard Thompson Jr. is running for Will County Executive. Mr. Thompson is the 1st African American in history to run for such a high office and a Joliet native.
Comment by Jobs&justice Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 3:17 pm
Terrence Goggin and Patrick John Ryan think there might be a plant or two in the race …
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 3:19 pm
Man, there are a ton of filers today. Unreal.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 3:30 pm
These new districts have everyone spooked … to quote Ricky Booby, “If you ain’t 1st, you’re last”, and everyone is fighting for the bottom of the ballot.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 3:36 pm
===These new districts have everyone spooked ===
Me included. Today’s filings are a bit overwhelming.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 3:49 pm
Looks like CapFax commenter John Bambenek filed to run against Frerichs in the 52nd Senate District…
Comment by Ben Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 3:52 pm
Yeah, that was expected.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 3:56 pm
Hey Joe Walsh
Comment by The Captain Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 4:10 pm
Rich, your characterization of her website as professional was rather generous. It sounds like she wrote the prose herself and didn’t have it edited before publication. Painful to read. Though the “paycheck to paycheck” “raised by a single mom” part is quite resonant for me, it was quickly overpowered by the realization that the very things that can make for a good background are being coopted by pranks among the upper classes.
Comment by Colossus Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 4:55 pm
lol…are we SURE it’s Napoleon Harris and not some senior citizen, or 20 year old with the same name?
Just havin’ some fun on the last day of filing. It’s like a box of chocolates this year …
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 5:01 pm
You can tell who the Madigan plants are - the staffer for the Democratic Party didn’t bother to pull copies of their petitions.
Comment by Don't Worry, Be Happy Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 5:07 pm
OW, I’m not sure. He has a son, but the kid’s Facebook page makes no mention of this. He lives in Flossmoor, so that matches. We’ll see.
===Rich, your characterization of her website as professional was rather generous.===
Again, that was Greg, not me. Pay attention, please.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 5:16 pm
I hope you know, I was not calling you out, Rich, just having fun watching the last flurry of filings. I wonder how many “Irish” judges have filed today too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 5:20 pm
==If you’re wondering about Joe Walsh’s big announcement today, we’re still waiting.==
What if you had a big announcement and nobody came? What if you tried to find a district that would support you and none accepted your cause?
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 5:27 pm
===What if you had a big announcement and nobody came? What if you tried to find a district that would support you and none accepted your cause?===
That’s easy, you are Jim Oberweis …
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 5:31 pm
There’s a campaign facebook page with his kansas city chiefs picture from his personal facebook page which has this caption in the about section “Democrat Napoleon Harris for State Senator 15th District”. Remember the last northwestern varsity athlete that put his toes in the political waters last year kirk kirkpatrick-lasted about 24 hours.
Comment by shore Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 5:32 pm
Bill Kelly, best known for annoying Jay Levine, filed for 42nd Ward GOP Committeeman. Eloise Gerson is a nice enough person, but she hasn’t done much in what should be good GOP ground. On the other hand, if Kelly is a pretty bizarre guy and he won’t do anything at all to build GOP credibility in the ward.
Comment by Skeeter Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 5:34 pm
@OW - LOL!
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 5:35 pm
I annoyed Jay Lavine once when I was in college by making a comment when he was setting up for a live shot and I was walking behind him at a thing at NIU about how his hair looked from the top like it had been schlaked
Comment by OneMan Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 5:47 pm
all I have to say is: YES!!!!
Comment by Borealis Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 6:08 pm
Napoleon Harris played both basketball and football for a while before going all football. deep work ethic. cannot figure out why he did not make it after getting drafted in the first round by the Raiders. wonder how much of the first round cash he still has on hand.
Comment by amalia Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 6:51 pm
I guess we don’t know for certain that MJM opponent is a gop plant, but it would be just like HRO to get a 25 year-old woman brand new to politics to fight their battles for them. Sad.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 7:26 pm
It ain’t HRO. Not directly, anyway.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 7:56 pm