In a recent closed-door meeting, Seneca Township Democratic Precinct Committeeman John Bartman was selected to run for state representative in House District 63 in Jack Franks’ stead, pitting Bartman, who also has been was a Democratic Party chairman, against Republican candidate Steve Reick.
Reick took to his blog to call out McHenry County Democrats for getting in the way of voters and attempting to control the election.
“Bartman’s appointment adds yet another chapter to the sordid tale of intrigue that began when (Illinois House Speaker) Mike Madigan and/or Jack Franks - probably both- enlisted Jeff Lichte, a reliable Democrat, to run in the Republican primary,” Reick wrote. “Their obvious intention was to get him on the ballot so they could block the Republicans from later slating a candidate, thus saving them from having to go through the charade of pretending they were opening up the appointment process to anyone interested in running for the job.”
After announcing his intention in May, Franks officially withdrew from the race a few weeks ago, sending county Democrats searching for a replacement, which McHenry County Democratic Party Chairman Michael Bissett told Northwest Herald would be open to all who were interested.
“Instead, they could have simply announced in April that they had their guy, a protege of Jack Franks who got a $45,000 per year patronage job at IDOT at Franks’ request,and who now works for an outfit that claims it was established to support, promote, and encourage fair contracting - translation: prevailing wage contracts,” Reick wrote. “Bartman is a 'monitor' for McHenry and Lake counties.”
Bartman told the McHenry County Blog that he is running to bring tax relief to the middle class of McHenry County and to make Springfield work again because it is an absolute travesty.
Reick questioned whether Bartman will bring much change to Springfield.
“Will he vote for Mike Madigan as speaker of the House?" Reick asked. "Will he vote for Mike Madigan’s House rules? Will he pledge to vote to term limit his party’s leadership? Will he disavow Mike Madigan’s lawsuit to get redistricting reform thrown off the November ballot?”
And as for the travesty in Springfield, Reick said Bartman has his own party to thank for that.
“The travesty in Springfield is of his own party’s making. I, along with the people of this district, would like to know why it is that he thinks that another vote on Madigan’s side of the aisle will change that,” Reick wrote. “It’s time to start debating the issues. Game on.”
Reick won the Republican primary against Lichte in March. This is the second time Reick has sought to represent House District 63 in Springfield. In 2014, he lost to Franks, a nine-time incumbent.
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