3 vie for chance to oppose Evans
Races set for Knox County Board seats
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
GALESBURG - The final day for filing nominating petitions brought few surprises. As expected, Republican Andrea Zinga filed her nominating petitions, making it a three-way race to see who will oppose 12-term incumbent Lane Evans in November 2006.In a stop in Galesburg in October to announce her candidacy, Zinga said she will focus on campaign issues, such as creating more jobs in this area.
"We need to find a way to even the playing field," she said.
Zinga, a former Quad City TV anchor, lost to Evans in 2004. She will face Jim Mowen, a Rock Island real estate professional, and Brian Gilliland, an Aledo businessman, in the March 21, 2006, Republican primary.
Candidates seeking seats on the Knox County Board who filed Monday or late last week included Lyle Johnson, a Democrat, in District 1. Incumbent Linda Roberts did not file a petition to seek re-election.
Former board member William Abel, a Republican, filed in District 2. In District 3, a Democratic stronghold, Barbara Foster and Joan Vasquez Smith both filed, meaning four Democrats filed for two available seats, including incumbents Jan Occhi, the current board chairman, and Dale Parsons. Jacquelyne L. Turner was the only Republican to file in District 3.
Christopher A. Warren of Knoxville was the only Democrat to file in District 4. Republican incumbent Lowell Mannhardt and 18-year-old Knoxville High School student Noah Emery filed Dec. 12.
Thus far, only the two Republican incumbents have filed in District 5, Steve Johnson and Ric Sandoval.
According to Knox County Clerk Scott Erickson, the parties have until May 22 to caucus to slate candidates.
"If no one filed (for a certain office), the party can come in and do that," Erickson said, adding that is usually not done until sometime after the primary. Slated candidates are on the ballot, just as those are who filed nominating petitions.
Incumbent Democratic Knox County Treasurer Robin Davis filed to run for a second term.
Before being elected treasurer, Davis worked in the treasurer's office from 1992 to 2002. She said Monday she has been accountable to taxpayers in overseeing the county's money. At the end of fiscal year 2002, the county had $3.4 million more in expenses than revenue, she said. Now, there is a $2.7 million surplus, Davis said.
Davis will be opposed by former Knox County Board member John Miller of Yates City in November. Miller filed at 3:37 p.m. Monday.
In the race for state treasurer, Christine Radogno, a Republican state Senator from Lemont launched her campaign. Knox County State's Attorney Paul Mangieri of Galesburg and Alexi Giannoulias of Chicago are vying for the Democratic nomination. The seat is open because Republican incumbent Judy Baar Topinka is seeking the GOP gubernatorial nomination.
Topinka has endorsed Radogno's candidacy.
"By virtue of my tenure in the Senate, I have a wealth of experience in this area and I have already established my credibility on fiscal and budget issues," said Radogno, a 10-year veteran of the state Senate.
In the races for the state Senate from the 37th District and the state House from the 74th District, incumbent state Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria, and long-time state Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Gilson, were the only candidates to file. That does not mean they will not face any opposition next November, however, as both parties will caucus and can slate candidates.
In an official announcement of his candidacy made Monday at Princeton High School, Moffitt talked about economic development, educational funding, promoting further use of agricultural commodities, improving highways in the district and working toward a balanced budget, among a number of issues.
"Job retention, job growth and job attraction will continue to be among my top priorities in another term," Moffitt said. "I want to work toward improving educational funding for our local schools. We need increased state funding and local property tax relief, such as the plan that was introduced by former Gov. Jim Edgar in 1997."
