Dozens of Petition Challenges Filed in Primary Races
Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin was behind petition challenges Monday to all five of her opponents in the 7th Congressional District Democratic primary. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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48 challenges to the nominating petitions of congressional and legislative candidates were filed Monday in attempts to knock them off the March ballot.
The challenge process typically removes a candidate from the ballot for not having enough valid signatures, though there are multiple issues that can be challenged.
The Illinois State Board of Elections was unable to provide The Illinoize with copies of challenges before close of business Monday.
Here’s a rundown of the challenges.
CONGRESS
1st Congressional
A challenge has been filed against incumbent Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-Chicago). The petitioner, Kelly King of Chicago, also attempted to knock Jackson off the ballot last year. King is also challenging one of the Republicans in the race, Montrelle Gaji of Chicago. Marcus Lewis, who previously sought a congressional seat as a Democrat, is the other Republican. He is not challenged.
5th Congressional
Attorney Kent Sinson filed challenges to both of Congressman Mike Quigley’s (D-Chicago) Democratic opponents. Sinson challenged Jerico Matias Cruz of Chicago and Jonathan Bishop of Palatine.
7th Congressional
Allies of Chicago City Treasurer and 7th District candidate Melissa Conyears-Ervin filed challenges against all five of her competitors Monday, including incumbent Congressman Danny Davis (D-Chicago).
9th Congressional
Linda Buyer, a donor to Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) and Christian Sorensen, an Evanston Township Democratic official and political operative, are challenging the petitions of Schakowsky’s primary opponent, Michael Donahue of Park Ridge.
12th Congressional
Two of the three Democrats in the race, Preston Nelson of Lebanon and Joshua Qualls of Centralia, have been challenged. Neither Republican, Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) or former Sen. Darren Bailey, were challenged.
14th Congressional
We’re told forces behind perceived GOP favorite Jim Marter, the Kendall County GOP Chair, challenged the petitions of Charlie Kim of Aurora and Krystal Dorey of Lockport. He’s attempting to clear the field to face incumbent Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) next November.
STATE SENATE
19th Senate
Victoria Knight of Hazel Crest challenged two of the three Republicans challenging Sen. Mike Hastings (D-Frankfort). Both Hillary Kurzawa’s and Samantha Gasca’s petitions were challenged. Kurzawa is the Senate GOP choice for the seat. Former gubernatorial candidate Max Solomon was not challenged. We didn’t get a clear answer last night as to where the challenge is coming from.
34th Senate
As we told subscribers Friday, Republican Juan Reyes, who is facing felony gun and forgery charges, only filed 617 signatures, well under the 1,000 required minimum. Former Belvidere Mayor Gary Chamberlain is among the challengers to Reyes’ petitions. Senate Republicans are backing Rock Valley College trustee Crystal Soltow in the race against Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Caledonia).
40th Senate
Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is hoping to rid himself of a primary challenge. Kevin Galass, a local union official, has challenged the petitions of Joyce’s challenger, Kimberly Earling of Braidwood.
53rd Senate
Two candidates for this open seat didn’t file at the last moment and the race may be trimmed again. Three people, from Livingston and Woodford Counties, are challenging the petitions of former Livingston County Board member Mike Kirkton. The other Livingston County candidate, teacher and farmer Jesse Faber, likely benefits the most from clearing another candidate from his county, so it’s safe to assume where the challenge is coming from. We were told Kirkton only filed around 1,100 signatures.
STATE HOUSE
5th District
Democrats are challenging the petitions of Republican Al Rasho, who is running in the heavily blue 5th District against appointed Rep. Kimberly Neely DuBuclet (D-Chicago).
6th District
All three candidates in the 6th District have their petitions challenged. Rep. Sonya Harper (D-Chicago) is challenged and her opponent, Joseph Williams, is also facing a challenge. The Republican in the heavily Democratic district, Sean Dwyer, is also having his petitions challenged.
16th District
There’s a challenge to the primary opponent of Rep. Kevin Olickal (D-Chicago). Faye Abushaban’s petitions were challenged by Beth Lanford of Chicago, who we’re told is associated with Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Olickal.
21st District
Both primary challengers of Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) were challenged. Brendan O’Connor, a former Berwyn mayoral candidate, is among those challenging the petitions.
23rd District
Rep. Edgar Gonzalez’s (D-Chicago) sister is challenging the petitions of Gonzalez’s opponent, Lupe Castillo. Democrats clearly see Castillo as the main threat as Joseph Mercado, the third person in the race, was not challenged.
27th District
Tawana Robinson, who is challenging Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago), also challenged Slaughter’s nominating petitions Monday.
28th District
A former city council candidate and a former school board member in Rep. Bob Rita’s (D-Blue Island) hometown are challenging the petitions of Rita’s opponent. The challenge of the nominating petitions of Paris Thomas was filed Monday.
29th District
Both Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-Calumet City) and his primary opponent, Gloria White, are facing petition challenges. Controversial Thornton Township Assessor Cassandra Elston is challenging White’s petitions. White is challenging Jones’ candidacy with Monet Wilson, the Cal City Alderwoman who challenged Jones in the primary last year.
32nd District
Democrats are hoping to protect Rep. Cyril Nichols (D-Chicago). They’ve challenged the petitions of Lisa Davis.
37th District
Republicans are looking to bounce Rep. Tim Ozinga’s (R-Mokena) primary opponent from the ballot. Patrick Sheehan, who lost a state senate race last year, is challenging the petitions of August Deuser of Mokena.
38th District
Democrats are attempting to clear the field for Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin (D-Olympia Fields). Former Olympia Fields Alderman Willett Hudson is challenging the petitions of Republican Jensen Venskus of Olympia Fields.
43rd District
Elgin attorney Kerin Kelly has challenged the petitions of Republican Donald Puckett, who is hoping to take on Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin).
58th District
Supporters of Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) are hoping to bounce his primary opponent. Deana Kaplan of Deerfield challenged the petitions of Brian (BJ) McCaslin of Highland Park.
76th District
Three Democrats are in the race to replace outgoing Rep. Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa). Yednock’s district office aide Amy Murri Briel had her petitions challenged by a supporter of DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes. Neither Republican was challenged.
79th District
Kankakee County Board member Larry Kerkstra had his petitions challenged by University Park Alderwoman Janelle McFadden. None of the four other Democrats in the race to challenge Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Bourbonnais) had their petitions challenged.
95th District
Both Rep. Mike Coffey’s (R-Springfield) primary and general election opponents are being challenged. Republicans are challenging both primary opponent Kelvin Coburn of Chatham and Democrat Kristen Chiaro of Chatham.
102nd District
Former Vermilion County Democratic Chair Germaine Light has challenged the petitions of Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich). Niemerg is otherwise unopposed.
110th District
Trevor Kious, a Department of Corrections employee from downstate Ramsey, has challenged the petitions of Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City). Unions are expected to go in hard against Wilhour for Republican Matt Hall. Hall is also a DOC employee.
113th District
Democrats are attempting to knock the primary opponent of Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) off the ballot. Union official Jeff Collier of Belleville challenged the petitions of Jamil McKinney of Shiloh.
116th District
Former Jefferson County GOP Chairman Richard Stubblefield was among the challengers to Republican candidate Angela Evans, the Freedom Caucus-backed challenger to Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton).