-By Warner Todd Huton
Early in December I wrote a piece asking why Sandy Wegman of Elgin was still in the race for the 22nd District State Senate slot even though long-time Republican Steve Rauschenberger was again running for the job?
Well, it looks like she finally realized that she isn’t wanted on the ballot and has officially withdrawn her name from the ballot.
This sent to me by the Rauschenberger campaign:
WEGMAN WITHDRAWS The legs are rapidly being kicked out from under the Senate Democrats’ grand scheme to protect their most vulnerable incumbent.
Last week, an appellate panel dismissed the Senate Democrats’ case arguing that former GOP state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger should not be allowed to run as a Republican against freshman Sen. Michael Noland (D-Elgin) because he took a Democratic ballot in a municipal primary race last year.
Yesterday, Sandy Wegman filed papers to withdraw from the Republican primary campaign as a write-in candidate. Wegman, the Kane County Recorder, has engaged in a long-running feud with Rauschenberger over the years, so it wasn’t difficult for the Democrats to nudge her into the race. The idea was, if Wegman got enough write-ins to qualify for the ballot, then the local Republicans couldn’t appoint Rauschenberger to the ballot after the primary if the courts ruled against him. But the Republicans reportedly extended an olive branch to Wegman after the appellate ruling and she agreed to withdraw from the race. The Republicans did leave another Rauschenberger-friendly write-in candidate in the mix, however, just in case the Illinois Supreme Court goes south on them.
Barring a surprising ruling from a higher court, that’s it for the Dems. Rauschenberger will stay on the ballot and be able to use this drama to his advantage this fall. If Noland loses – and he very well may – this removal ploy could get the blame (although his voting record and campaign difficulties will certainly play a role).
I cannot be sure, but I think this was from Rich Miller’s Capital Fax blog.
Where ever the report is originally from, it is good news for Rauschie. His returning to the Illinois State Senate would be a welcome thing. His conservatism and expertise in budgetary matters is sorely needed in Springfield again.