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Question of the day

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Illinois

* Back in 2009, I asked you if Illinois State Fair manager Amy Bliefnick should resign her position if she ran for the Illinois General Assembly.

And as I told you the other day, former Rep. Darlene Senger is circulating petitions to run for comptroller. Senger is currently Gov. Rauner’s chief legislative liaison. So…

* The Question: When should Darlene Senger resign? When she files her D-1 statement of candidacy, when she files her petitions, when she’s certified for the ballot, before spring session begins in January, after the Republican primary, or never? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

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posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:15 pm

Comments

I voted never. But purely from a political standpoint. I really want the Republican nominee for Comptroller literally working for the Governor while that Governor claims that the present Comptroller works for Madigan. It will be a lot of fun to watch the squirming when he’s called out on it.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:21 pm
Rich, why is “immediately” or “last week” not an option for voting?

Comment by kroo80 Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:24 pm
T. O. D. A. Y.

Comment by DSengy Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:25 pm
Once she files a D-1, she’s a candidate. That’s the appropriate time to step down. Anything after that can create potential conflicts. The only way to remove those is to take a leave of absence or otherwise separate from service.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:27 pm
I voted for when she turns in her petitions but I meant to vote for when her petitions are certified.

In a state the size of Illinois my guess would be that Ms. Senger is not collecting all of them and that a lot of Rauner’s state party folks are doing that. If she were running for state rep again or for State Senate and actually pounding the pavement 4+ hours a day then that would draw red flags.

Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:31 pm
Sorry - meant to say “not collecting all of her signatures”.

Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:32 pm
===why is “immediately” or “last week” not an option for voting? ===

They’re not in session, she may abandon the petition bid, etc.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:33 pm
Never. If a person cannot be a candidate and hold a state position at the same time, then nearly every candidate for this election should resign.

Sure, it may be a political liability, but I don’t believe it is a conflict of interest for a person in a state office to also be a candidate– as long as they don’t campaign on state time or with state resources.

Comment by buffalo soldier Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:34 pm
Agree with 47. When you’re raising dough, you’re in the hunt. That’s the time to step aside. As an aside, can people in positions like Senger’s take leaves or do they have to resign? Long time since I worked under the personnel code.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:34 pm
Once she is on the ballot, but never would also be an option.

Stepping down when she knows she’s on the ballot seems fair. However, if she waits longer, that’s between her and the voters. It would matter to me. I’m not sure it would matter to other voters.

Comment by Gooner Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:36 pm
To clarify, by “never,” I mean until her state position ends (Governor Rauner loses) or until she wins her election.

Comment by buffalo soldier Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:36 pm
AA - they can take leaves of absence but Andy Manar set the bar when he gave up his Senate gig to run. And, really, that is what SHOULD happen.

Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:36 pm
How would it work if she was paid with federal $ and the Hatch Act applied?
I voted when petition certified, but strictly speaking once filed as a candidate she should not be working on the taxpayer dime.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:41 pm
If she were an ordinary state employee I would say never, but she is the Governor’s chief legislative liaison. How is she supposed to work with the Democrats to pass the Governor’s agenda when she is a candidate?

Makes no sense. This Governor clearly has no interest in compromising or actually getting things done. He is just happy making news, and that isn’t what we elected him to do.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:44 pm
When Robin Kelly ran for state treasurer, she kept her job with Giannoulias.

Comment by anonymous retiree Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:44 pm
Immediately.

Lobbying for the Governor’s immensely unpopular veto of the debt transparency law really undermined Senger’s credibility as a candidate. Even Munger understood that it is important to atleast appear independent from the governor in the job. Senger campaigning while literally a Rauner underling is gonna hamstring her candidacy.

At the same time, she cannot be effective in her job while remaining a candidate. Advancing the governor’s agenda requires Democratic votes, and running as a statewide candidate hamstrings her ability to sway Democratic lawmakers. It is also going to put a cloud around every phone call she makes and every ask.

Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:48 pm
Can wingman Munger run again?

Comment by DeseDemDose Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 3:15 pm
When she is certified on the ballot, no need to resign a position until the point of no return.

Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 3:34 pm
Voted never…for the exact same reasons as Ducky…

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 3:36 pm
Why would she have to resign if Sheila Simon didn’t have to resign? Politically, it would probably help if she did resign, but she doesn’t HAVE to.

Comment by My button is broke... Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 3:55 pm
=== if Sheila Simon didn’t have to resign?===

She wasn’t an employee of the governor’s office.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 4:14 pm
Voted “never” Don’t think that she should have to resign from her day job. But if she doesn’t leave, then the negative impression to the voters is on her.

Comment by downstate commissioenr Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 6:00 pm
I didn’t vote because “After she wins the general election,” was not an option.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 7:37 pm
I’m with 47 and AA- The office off the Governor serves on behalf of all of the people of the State (ok theoretically- stop laughing). When you choose to run for office, you are serving your own interests. She could take a leaveof absence, but should not serve in the administration while a candidate.

Comment by West Sider Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 10:17 pm
I voted never because, After (if) she wins the general election was not an option.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 17, 17 @ 6:44 am
Mendoza did not resign as City Clerk when she ran, As long as Darlene takes the appropriate time off, I don’s see a problem

Comment by anonymous retiree Friday, Nov 17, 17 @ 8:02 am
And why should she resign?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 17, 17 @ 8:40 am