Battle Brewing to Replace Bennett in Senate
Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) says she will seek the full two-year appointment to the Senate seat vacated by the passing of Sen. Scott Bennett.
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Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) announced Wednesday she is seeking the late Sen. Scott Bennett’s seat in the Senate. But she’s not alone.
Ammons was elected in 2014 (disclosure: I worked for her opponent who happens to be one of my best friends) and is one of the most progressive members of the House, in stark contrast with the centrist Bennett.
Some Democrats have said privately they believe Ammons is too liberal to win the Senate district, especially in an off-year when University of Illinois student turnout isn’t as high, and that Ammons wouldn’t play well in some of the more rural areas of the district like Rantoul and Vermilion County.
Ammons texted The Illinoize Thursday claiming that her voting record matched Bennett’s “98% of the time."
City of Champaign Township Supervisor Andy Quarnstrom confirmed last night he would also seek the appointment. Quarnstrom is a Champaign firefighter in addition to his township duties.
Former Champaign City Council member and current City of Champaign Township Assessor Paul Faraci, who was one of Bennett’s best friends, is also rumored to be considering throwing his hat in the ring. Faraci was a Senior Advisor to Treasurer Mike Frerichs and spent many years working with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Faraci did not return a message last night.
The appointment is no slam dunk for Ammons. Ammons has gotten herself in hot water at times, like when she was accused of stealing a purse at a charity resale shop, though she was never charged. She was also removed from House leadership in 2021 after allegedly violating party rules when presiding over the chamber.
“It cannot be her,” said one Champaign County Democrat last night.
This appointment process could turn into a brawl, as there is serious divide among Champaign County Democrats and the Ammons family is seemingly at the center of it. Carol Ammons’ husband, Aaron, is the Champaign County Clerk and has been at the center of multiple controversies over voting issues in the county. Carol Ammons was county Democratic chair until earlier this year. Even her election as party chair wasn’t without controversy.
Ammons accused The Illinoize of an “attempt to diminish my work and family,” though all of the issues above have been reported publicly and have been discussed privately by local Democrats.
New Champaign County Democratic Chairman Mike Ingram essentially has the ability to appoint the new Senator himself, and as a former countywide elected official, could appoint himself to the seat before an election in 2024. Though, Ingram says he won’t appoint himself to the seat.
It’s possible the party seeks a two-year placeholder who wouldn’t seek the position for good. Multiple Democrats Wednesday suggested popular Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin for the slot (disclosure: I have worked on both of her campaigns). Marlin told me Wednesday night she “is not seeking” the appointment. Ingram says a placeholder likely won’t be in the cards.
Ingram expects to have a formal application process nailed down over the next few days and plans to have an appointment finalized before the new General Assembly is sworn in on January 11.
