State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago)
(Chicago, IL) – November 23, 2009. The Chicago Board of Elections dismissed a challenge to the candidacy of David Schroeder that clears the way for Schroeder to face incumbent State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) in the Democratic primary for the 5th legislative district seat on February 2, 2010.
Shroeder, an attorney, will be Dunkin’s first Democratic challenger since he was elected in 2002.
“The voters deserve a choice,” said Schroeder. “Election after election, Ken Dunkin and his allies have successfully prevented other candidates from appearing on the ballot. This year, voters will finally get their say on who will represent them.”
Under Illinois law, a Democratic candidate for the State House of Representatives must submit a petition with the signatures of 500 or more Democratic voters from the district to appear on the ballot. Schroeder filed 1,963 signatures.
Under Illinois law, any citizen can challenge the petitions and petition signatures of any candidate. Dunkin’s allies challenged Schroeder’s petitions and those of a third candidate, Gwendolyn Drake.
An examination of the voter registration records was called off after staff from the Chicago Board of Elections examined only the first 33 sheets of 146 sheets filed.
Charles Holiday, the Board’s assistant manager for registration, noted that the limited examination conclusively determined that Schroeder submitted 603 signatures more than the minimum required.
“Continuing the records examination would only put the candidate further over that minimum,” Holiday wrote.
“The people who live in the 5th District want new representation,” said Schroeder campaign manager Erik Wallenius. “Dunkin has been an ineffective voice in Springfield, voting for the interests of his political cronies rather than the best interests of his constituents.”
Dunkin was the only state representative to skip the vote to impeach former Governor Rod Blagojevich, voted against tougher penalties for gang recruitment and gang activity, and voted against lowering the Cook County sales tax.
Gov. Pat Quinn
geez, the law is there for a reason, but when people like Ken Dunkin misuse the law by filing what amounted to obviously frivilous challenges and by hiding behind two political operatives to file the challenges, that certainly says alot about Dunkin’s character and honesty. I remember what he did to Pat Dowell when he ran against her – he’s just a despicable person for what he did! Why do we keep sending people like this to Springfield?
Glad to see that the board of elections called it for what it was, and refused to allow Ken Dunkin to waste any MORE taxpayers’ money and time. This Dunkin guy’s GOTTA GO!
Posted by s fahey | November 23, 2009, 2:00 PMDear S,
Geez, nothing.
The Illinois election law challenge provision exists to verify that a candidate’s petition ethically and competently abides by state law–it’s an accountability measure. Dunkin is completely within his legal rights to exercise the challenge provision. If candidate is unable to either ethically or competently follow state election law as a first test to lawmaking, then that candidate deserves no place the ballot or in office if they fail to understand the basics.
Schroeder past his first, basic test. Good for him.
Thanks for reading.
David Ormsby
Posted by David Ormsby | November 23, 2009, 2:15 PM