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* UPDATED x1 - Will Stephens also drops out * Baldermann drops out of GOP primary

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* From 37th House District candidate Tim Baldermann’s (R-New Lenox) Facebook page on December 5…

So many people dislike politics because of the lies and dirty tactics used by far too many political campaigns. These smear tactics are most frequently employed by candidates who don’t have a real platform or record to run on.

Today, the Will County Gazette, which is nothing more than a prop used by unscrupulous political consultants for their own personal profit, posted another fake story in order to help my opponents campaign.

It continues with some explanations. The story he referenced is here.

Baldermann faces Tim Ozinga in the Republican primary. This is an open seat contest created when GOP Rep. Margo McDermed announced her retirement. The Republicans have been worried that the Democrats might try to make a run for the seat, and some Republicans worry that Baldermann is too easy of a target..

He receives $71,000 a year in disability from Chicago Ridge as former police chief there, a salary of $206,000 as superintendent of the tiniest school district in the state, and an $18,000 salary as mayor of New Lenox (which he says he donates to charity). He also received $15,000 as a Metra director until stepping down in August when he announced he was running for the state House seat.

The total package for the superintendent of Union School District 81 includes a $10,000 annual bonus, a car allowance and health insurance. The district also picks up the cost of his pension contribution.

The amount was questioned last fall in a report by Fox 32 Chicago.

“Two-hundred-thousand a year to run a school district isn’t extraordinary,” the story said. “But what makes Baldermann’s salary stand out is the size of the district: one building, 11 teachers and about 100 students, with as few as 92 a couple years ago.”

* Baldermann today…

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I wanted you to hear from me personally that my name will not appear on the ballot for State Representative.

I have served as an elected official locally for 18 years. Seeing the dysfunction in our state capitol drove me to consider a run for State Representative. With my experience and passion for good government, I believed we would be able to run a successful campaign focused on the issues. Unfortunately, in today’s political climate that’s not enough.

Recently, Illinois Republican leaders expressed concern that an expensive and exhaustive primary in the 37th District could leave the winner vulnerable to Mike Madigan and the Illinois Democratic machine in a general election. I do not have the personal finances and resources necessary to sustain these all-too expensive campaigns. Additionally, the House Republican Organization doesn’t have the funding to finance this campaign in a general election. Finally, there were concerns about me remaining on as mayor and superintendent. We have accomplished so much at the village and school district that I’m not willing to give that up.

I don’t fault the Illinois Republican Leadership for their position. They have to put the Party’s interest ahead of any individual candidate. This is not a reflection on the other candidates in this race.This is a systemic issue.I have issues with the process. Until there is change that includes open primaries, meaningful campaign finance reform and term limits, elections will be out of reach for many who wish to serve at a higher office.

Additionally, politics beyond the local level have become far too negative, polarizing and expensive. I will not tear another person down just because they are my political opponent. Furthermore, I will not subject my family and friends to that same all-too common treatment. Many campaigns and special interest groups engage in unscrupulous activity just to further their agenda.

*** UPDATE *** The Southern…

Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens has ended his primary bid to run as the Republican candidate in Illinois’ 115th House District.

Stephens was a late addition to an already competitive race and announced through a Facebook post Sunday that he would be withdrawing his name from candidacy in the spring primary. […]

Stephens wrote in his post that his petition was challenged by fellow primary candidate Zach Meyer. Stephens wrote that Meyer objected on a host of reasons, including that a few people who signed his petition didn’t live in the district, while others were not registered voters or had signed other candidates’ petitions. […]

“Though we likely could have overcome some of these challenges, it became uncertain as to whether I could retain enough of my signatures to remain on the ballot,” Stephens wrote in his Facebook post.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 4:02 pm

Comments

It’s tough enough doing two demanding jobs well, much less three. Be glad you have such a sweet pair of gigs.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 4:09 pm
I don’t have a dog in this fight, but the detractors have a point. That is a lot of public troughs to be feeding at to be trying to add another. And that school district should be consolidated.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 4:28 pm
=== Additionally, the House Republican Organization doesn’t have the funding to finance this campaign in a general election.===

The lede is buried.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 4:28 pm
Haha, how many times is this dude going to run for something then back out? Back in 2008 it was because the RCCC wanted his Christmas card list and that upset him right?

Comment by K3 Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 4:56 pm
==Until there is change that includes open primaries==
We have de facto (if not de jure) open primaries.

Comment by Nuke the Whales Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 5:29 pm
And also to note that the only reason he is a School Superintendent is because in got his certification by way of a waiver by the Regional School Superintendent who is another elected official. Never taught a day in his life,just served on a school board. A small school district that has loads of money because of warehouses and very few homes and kids.

Comment by ISP Retired Monday, Dec 23, 19 @ 12:10 pm
A run for the seat?!? An easy target?!? First, there’s is no way Dems could win that seat. The area is solidly red. And a target? I wouldn’t believe anything Will County Gazette says; it’s not a legit paper and it’s not representative of most gop voters’ views. Balderman would have easily won the primary, and he would have worked with the Dems because he isn’t an extremist and he tries to work with everyone to get things done. This is a shame.

Admittedly he has his nose in a few govt troughs but that isn’t illegal, and it’s old news. He is VERY popular in New Lenox and has exceptional name recognition.

Comment by LW resident Monday, Dec 23, 19 @ 12:52 pm
So I guess we get Ozinga, who has achieved nothing and his only claim to fame is that he called for Madigan to resign. Oh, this is going to be just fine…

Comment by LW resident Monday, Dec 23, 19 @ 12:56 pm
Anyone who thinks Baldermann would be an easy target has NO idea how popular he is, across party lines, in the New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena areas. Clueless.

Comment by Esquire Thursday, Jan 2, 20 @ 6:14 pm
I find it weird that after being scorched by Profit’s propaganda rag Baldermann comes out against…..
Term limits.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Jan 6, 20 @ 12:12 pm