A spirited and just-a-bit-crazy race for local offices, including Springfield mayor, is finally coming to an end. But to those burned out on the continual election cycle in Illinois, at least be thankful that this has been a relatively short campaign, and — in comparison to last year’s races for U.S. Senate and governor — very tame.
That’s not to say it hasn’t been entertaining. Take, for instance, the predicament of the Sangamon County Republican Party, which usually seems so organized in comparison to the often hapless local Democrats. The local GOP backed a candidate who raised a bunch of money and advertised a lot and still ran third in the primary — and then bad-mouthed the county Republican leader, who he said had tried to buy him out of the race. That stuff doesn’t happen every day.
It also didn’t make either side look very good. MIKE COFFEY JR. may be asserting his independence now, but what does it say about his political skills to have the main news about his campaign be that he can’t get along with the leader of his own party?
SHEILA STOCKS-SMITH has taken a big leap, from being city educational liaison not so long ago to mayoral candidate today. But she’s benefited from the backing of U.S. Sen. DICK DURBIN, D-Ill., and his allies, who have poured on the cash so she can advertise her “new direction.” Coffey staying in the race after the GOP turmoil will boost Stocks-Smith’s chances on Tuesday.
But I have to follow this column’s tradition of making predictions — which, I emphasize, are not endorsements. So I’m going to guess that another candidate — who started his campaign early, respected countless groups by attending their events, and for the most part talked in great detail and exhibited uncanny knowledge of local government and issues — will get his second go-round in city hall in Tuesday’s voting.
It’s been former Mayor MIKE HOUSTON’s race to lose, and I don’t think he will. While some have faulted Houston for pairing his endorsements by former mayoral candidates MIKE FARMER and BILL McCARTY with the announcement that they would work in a “Team of Rivals” Houston administration, nobody can argue that he hid those choices.
Endorsements from two other former mayors, OSSIE LANGFELDER early and KAREN HASARA late, also have broadened Houston’s support.
The fourth candidate for mayor, FRANK KUNZ, made a tactical error, I think, by not attending many forums sponsored by community groups. I could understand it if he’d skipped closed-door interviews for endorsements. But when a public meeting is put on by some of your potential constituents, and if it’s all out in the open, what’s the harm in giving your views? Especially since, when he did appear at forums, Kunz was a refreshing addition. His knowledge of the city often has provided a shot of reality.
Some of the aldermanic races are easier to call than others. In Ward 1, MIKE CREWS looks like an up-and-comer, but appointed Mayor FRANK EDWARDS, running for another aldermanic term, will get it.
Ward 3 features good representatives all for the east and north sides of town. I think DORIS TURNER’s long tenure on the county board and her involvement in her area wins it for her over BILLY EARL, JIM GASPARIN and DAVID ESTES.
Congratulations to RYAN TOZER and wife ERIN on the birth March 26 of their first child, JOSEPHINE. That will prove the highlight of this race for him, however. His challenge to Ward 5 Ald. SAM CAHNMAN, which has been marked by overly aggressive advertising attacking Cahnman, will fall short.
Ward 7 is arguably the most interesting race, and a tough one to call. Lawyer JOE McMENAMIN began well with a volunteer cleanup of the old Kmart property on MacArthur Boulevard. But the independent-minded former Democratic committeeman may have shown it is possible to be too passionate, as he gets all wound up talking about things like pay spikes at city hall. JOHN LAURENZANA exhibits what seems to be supreme self-assurance, promoting ideas like an anonymous hotline to expose waste in city government. GOP backing will probably help him. (Coffey had a Laurenzana sign in his yard during the campaign, though Laurenzana says he’d back “any good Republican” for mayor who can balance the budget.) But I think MICHAEL HIGGINS, owner of Maldaner’s restaurant and recipient of the endorsement of incumbent DEBBIE CIMAROSSA, has matured enough as a candidate to claim the prize.
Oh, and City Clerk CECILIA TUMULTY gets another term over ANDY GRISWOLD — he of the ubiquitous “Go Griswold” yard signs.
Happy voting.
JERRY JACOBSON, the soul of the pro-historic preservation Save Old Springfield, hopes interest in the issue isn’t waning, because he got only two responses to surveys he sent out in mid-March to mayoral and aldermanic candidates.
That is later than many surveys, and some of the candidates have been quite busy. But responses came back from only Stocks-Smith for mayor and McMenamin for Ward 7 alderman.
Stocks-Smith avoided the “yes-no” option given for four of the five questions, but she did provide comments. Asked, for example, if the city’s Historic Sites Commission or city council should be able to debate the landmarking of a structure if the owner objects, she responded in part, “I will make sure developers and historic preservationists all have a seat at the table as we move forward, so that we can maintain Springfield’s historic nature while creating new economic development opportunities for residents and businesses.”
McMenamin gave a “tentative” yes to that question, adding that it would be “subject to further information and review of draft ordinance.”
He’s right that the way things are worded can make a big difference.
Bernard Schoenburg is political columnist for The State Journal-Register. He can be reached at 788-1540 or bernard.schoenburg@sj-r.com.
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