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* Yesterday was the last day of filing, so we have some generic stories for you today. First up, the Tribune…
In the north suburban 8th Congressional District, two-term incumbent Democratic Rep. Melissa Bean of Barrington gained a primary challenge from two last-day filers, artist Randi Scheurer of Lindenhurst and computer consultant Jonathan Farnick of Woodstock. Kirk Morris of Gurnee was a final-day filer on the Republican side to join businessman Steve Greenberg of Long Grove and Kenneth Arnold of Gurnee in seeking the GOP nomination.
In the west suburban 6th Congressional District, Jill Morgenthaler, an Army veteran who formerly served as Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s homeland security director, filed to challenge for the seat held by first-term Republican Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton. Morgenthaler, of Des Plaines, joins Roselle businessman Stan Jagla in seeking the Democratic nomination.
In the Republican primary for the right to challenge two-term incumbent Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, last-day filers were Norm Hill of Grayslake, who finished seventh in an eight-way race for the 2004 GOP Senate nomination, and conservative trucker Mike Psak of Chicago. Previously filing for the Republican nomination were Willowbrook physician Steve Sauerberg and frequent candidate Andy Martin.
* Pantagraph…
In the 11th Congressional District, which is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller of Morris, three Republicans have filed, including New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann, Jimmy Lee of North Utica and Terry Heenan of New Lenox.
The winner of that will take on Democrat Debbie Halvorson of Crete, who is currently a member of the Illinois Senate. Also running is Green Party candidate Jason Wallace of Normal.
U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, a Peoria Republican, also is retiring in the 18th district. Three Republicans are vying to replace him, including state Rep. Aaron Schock of Peoria, Jim McConoughey of Dunlap and John Morris of Peoria.
The winner of the GOP race will face Democrat Dick Versace, former basketball coach at Bradley University.
The 14th Congressional District has drawn a big field of contenders hoping to succeed former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who is retiring. Republicans include Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove, state Sen. Chris Lauzen of Aurora, Mike Dilger of Evanston and Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns.
Democrats who filed are scientist Bill Foster of Geneva, St. Charles attorney Jotham Stein, Joe Serra of Geneva and John Laesch of Yorkville, who challenged Hastert last year.
Three Democrats are hoping to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. John Shimkus of Collinsville. They include Joe McMenamin of Springfield, Shirley Roney of Mount Vernon and Daniel Davis of Springfield.
* Sun-Times…
In the near Northwest Side’s 32nd Ward, nearly a century of control by the Rostenkowski family organization is coming to an end as incumbent Committeeman Terry Gabinski, a former alderman, is not even filing for re-election, leaving upstart state Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) unopposed for committeeman.
Colleagues say Gabinski saw the writing on the wall when his ally, Ald. Ted Matlak, lost to challenger Scott Waguespack earlier this year. The old number for Gabinski’s office no longer works, and he could not be reached for comment.
Actually, Fritchey is opposed by Roger J. Romanelli, but he has no overt Machine ties. That might change, however. More from that article…
Down in South Shore in the 7th Ward, Cook County Commissioner Bill Beavers, chairman of the city caucus on the central committee, faces a challenge from Ald. Sandi Jackson, who easily knocked off Beaver’s daughter in the aldermanic race this year. […]
Freshman Ald. Bob Fioretti is trying to oust U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush as committeeman of the near South Side’s 2nd Ward. Rush once challenged Daley for the mayor’s seat, but now Daley is endorsing Rush to keep his committeeman’s seat.
Up in the 50th Ward in Rogers Park, longtime incumbent Bernie Stone faces a challenge from state Sen. Ira Silverstein.
Stone is in big, big trouble.
More in the subscriber-only section. Discuss away.
*** UPDATE *** I didn’t even check before, but it looks like Bobby Rush did not file for ward committeeman, despite the story above. Fioretti looks to be unopposed in the committeeman’s race even though I hear Rush was at the board of elections to file.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 10:40 am
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I didn’t see any Republicans file for President. Is that right?
Comment by Mike Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 10:02 am
I wouldn’t have much doubt that if Darcel was easily dispatched from her Aldermanic seat that the same might hold true for Mr. Beavers. I kind of wonder if he might be in trouble when he seeks re-election for his county board seat that he garnered for himself last year. I know that’s almost two years away though.
And I wonder about that 2nd ward committeeman’s race. If wonder if Fioretti running for that post is a threat to Daley.
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 10:04 am
Note that Tont P had only one opponent file for the primary.
Comment by Truthful James Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 10:31 am
Actually, Fritchey is opposed by Roger J. Romanelli, but he has no overt Machine ties.
Fritchey has no overt Machine ties or Romanelli has no overt Machine ties?
Comment by Hugh Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 10:34 am
Mike, no Republicans filed for president, yesterday because they can file, Nov. 29-Dec. 5.
The GOP U.S. Senate primary will be won by Mike Psak, a Chicago conservative who has been campaigning for about 18 months. He supports President Bush’s Iraq policies. He’s pro-tax cuts, pro-spending cuts, anti-illegal alien, pro-life, pro-gun rights, and anti-gay marriage. His website is www.psak4ussenate.com.
Comment by PhilCollins Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 10:56 am
John Fritchey, Sun Times aside, is no upstart.
Comment by Truthful James Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 11:34 am
Phil, Psak getting that nomination is Against All Odds. When you made that prediction, there must have been something In The Air Tonight, because Psak and that senate nomination will be living Seperate Lives.
Comment by JonShibleyFan Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 11:44 am
I would say Commissioner Beavers, he of the famous “hog with the big nuts” comment, is gonna be beaten for committeeman and likely in his next election for commissioner. Although for commissioner he might win if the person who runs against him isn’t named “Jackson”.
I’m not sure how far Kung Fu Triple J Jackson’s influence goes beyond getting someone related to him elected. Time will tell.
Eric Zorn on the “big nuts comment.
Comment by irishpirate Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 11:47 am
42 is interesting.
About four candidates for GOP Committeeman — four people that I, despite being a married Catholic male with kids, who has lived in 42 for ten years [on paper I sure look like I might be a Republican] has never heard of.
Maybe one of those four might actually do some campaigning.
Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 11:54 am
Roger Romanelli is a contributor to Scott Waguespack. Wonder how Fritchey feels about that?
Comment by babs Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:02 pm
Much ado about nothing! Without Mayor Putin’s blessing, the slate making function of the Cook County Democratic organization is hot air. Wake up, we live in a political dictatorship where one man runs the reward and punishment office. Given the performance of the Democratic party in Illinois, Cook County and the City only those at the trough give a damn about the party mechanisms. We finally have total political control and as a result there is total chaos.
Comment by wallace Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:10 pm
===we live in a political dictatorship===
You have obviously never been to a dictatorial country.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:16 pm
Rush probably didn’t have the signatures to file.
Many of the Petitions are being checked for signatures.
There will be an attempt to knock a lot of the candidates off the ballot.
Can’t blame anyone. Look at Obama. He knocked his opponents off the ballot and he’s running for President.
Comment by True Observer Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:18 pm
Skeeter,
This questions comes not by way of sarcasm but by way of requesting clarification: how does your being a married Catholic with kids effect whether or not you’d heard of Republican committeeman candidates?
Comment by JonShibleyFan Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:37 pm
JSF,
Because it seems to me that white married Catholics with kids tend to be the voters that the GOP is looking for. For reasons that I don’t understand, people with those characteristics tend to vote with the GOP at a higher rate than a lot of other groups. If there are GOP votes in 42, you would expect them to be white married Catholics with kids. Further, you would expect a competent GOP organization to identify the potential GOP voters in 42 and make some effort to reach out to those voters. To date, the GOP in 42 has been completely invisible. As I said — maybe one of the four will actually do some campaigning.
Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:45 pm
So, Ken Dunkin managed to alienate both Mayor Daley and the Independents? Now that’s talent!
Comment by phocion Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 2:18 pm
Roger Romanelli is a contributor to Scott Waguespack. Wonder how Fritchey feels about that?
I can’t imagine Fritchey would be terribly upset about that, considering he and Ted Matlak are bitter enemies.
Comment by Stating the Obvious Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:09 pm
Ease up Rich, you make buck off the system too!!
Comment by wallace Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:12 pm
Phil Collins forgets to mention that Mike Psak pulled a DEM ballot in last years election and now he is a Republican running to beat DEM Durbin. Gimme a break.
Comment by GOPYooper Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:33 pm
Mike Psak has never pulled a DEM primary ballot, in his life. Someone is spreading lies about Mike. If you want proof that Mike voted in the 2006 republican primary, please check the Cook Co. Clerk website.
Comment by PhilCollins Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:45 pm
Phil, I did look. You should too. The City of Chicago has their own election authority, therefore, if you live in Chicago, it would be on file there. Go to the Chicago Election Commission and pull his voting record. It’s open to the public.
Mike Psak pulled a DEM ballot in ‘06 and is now claiming to be a Republican. Enough is Enough.
Comment by GOPYooper Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:02 pm
I am a long time Republican voter and have never heard of Mile Psak until the Milton Township Straw Poll 2 weeks ago where he received 4 votes. He has a long way to go if he wants to win a statewide election.
Comment by thirtysomething Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:10 pm
Mike Psak has been campaigning for about 18 months, and he officially declared his campaign on March 10. All IL Republicans should have heard of him, at least a year ago.
Comment by PhilCollins Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 5:02 pm
PhilCollins: I guarantee you that all IL Republicans have not heard of Mr. Psak, which is the problem. He has no name ID! I’ve gotten nothing in the mail about him, haven’t read a word about him in the papers, haven’t seen him at any events, or read about him on any blogs other than what you have written. No name ID.
Comment by thirtysomething Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 5:48 pm
30something, Now….c’mon, be fair. You have heard of him, he finished DEAD LAST in a DuPage Township straw poll.
Phil, if Mike Psak spent as much time campaigning (or working on his website) as you have writing on blogs, he may be a lot further along.
Comment by GOPYooper Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 6:10 pm
If Mike Psak had the Name ID that Phil Collins did, he’s be in better shape
Comment by thirtysomething Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 6:21 pm
I suspect that Sen Durbin is hoping for Mr Psak’s success in the primary.
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 9:45 pm
Rich did you noticw who is running un the 2nd county post seat in Dupage? Well it is Ana Manzo, the wife of Tony Peraica’s chief of staff,Mike Manzo?
Does’nt a Cook county employee have to live in Cook County? Why are we being asked to pay more taxes in Cook and have to see necessary postions cut at the County,such as stae’s attorneys, but yet have to pay a salary for a Dupage (Oak Brook) resident?
Why is Peraica and Manzo making moves to run in DuPage? Are’nt they tired of fighting with every Republican in Illinois?
Also, what happened to that Republican female opponent of Tony Peraica? She did’nt file for State’s Attorney. What Republican wags are saying she was shill for Peraica,so Barron would not run.
Peraica seems to crashing,maybe she spend his money wisely and hire a true proffessional chief of staff and start building his name up with solutions,instead of throwing pitch forks!
Comment by Inside Cook Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 9:52 pm
Tim Balderman went into the last weekend with less than the required amount of signatures on his petitions. When the weekend was up, he submitted just over 200 signatures above the minimum. His opponents — Lee and Heenan, each turned in twice the required amount.
It’s interesting that Tim Balderman had a head start over the others and just barely got enough signatures. He is a vunerable target for a ballot challenge.
He just blew more support because of his less than ideal petition gathering capabilities. If he can’t out do his primary opponents in a simple political exercise — Tim Balderman will lose a general election.
Comment by RichMillerFan Saturday, Nov 10, 07 @ 8:04 pm