Published: August 03, 2007 10:55 pm      

Incumbents look toward campaigns

Hopefuls begin effort to gain spot on ballot

DANVILLE — All but one Vermilion County officeholder appear to be making another run at elected office in 2008, while a city alderman is considering a seat on the Illinois General Assembly.

Terms are up in the county offices of circuit clerk, recorder, state’s attorney, auditor and coroner in the 2008 elections. On the state level, the two-year terms for state representative in the 104th and 105th districts end, as well as the congressional seat in the 15th District.

Danville City Council Alderman Terry Baldwin of Ward 4 confirmed on Friday that he has received election signature petitions for a state legislature seat in the 104th District.

At this time, no decision has been made on whether he will run for the seat.

“I had been encouraged several years ago to look at doing this at some point in the future,” said Baldwin, a Republican. “I discussed it with several politicians and thought it might work well.”

State Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, currently represents the General Assembly for the 104th District. Black has served since 1986.

Baldwin can begin circulating his petitions for office later this week. He must collect 500 signatures.

Among county officials, recorder Barbara Young has picked up election petitions for their respective offices, according to the Vermilion County Clerk’s office. State’s Attorney Frank Young has picked up petitions for his office also, but he said no final decision has been reached for him.

Auditor Linda Anstey and Coroner Peggy Johnson confirmed their candidacies this week, with both picking up election petitions. Johnson said there was never any doubt she would run for another term in office.

For Anstey, the decision to run again makes it her sixth time vying for a four-year term.

“I made a promise to the people and new chairman that I’d work to get finances back under control and make it something we can rely on,” she said.

Circuit Clerk Sue Miller is the only current office holder not attempting a re-election bid. Miller announced in March that this would be her last term.

Two contenders — Darla Cruppenink, a criminal division supervisor in the office, and county DARE Officer Denny Gardner — already have announced their intent to run. Cruppenink has picked up petitions for the office at this point.

Petitions for candidates seeking public office can begin circulating on Tuesday. The paperwork for the offices must be filed with the Vermilion County Clerk’s office between Oct. 29 and Nov. 5.

No opponents have picked up petitions or formally announced the intent to run against the current incumbent candidates.

Election petition packets for the primary election are still available at the county clerk’s office, which is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In addition, there are 13 seats on the county board that also are up in next year’s election — one seat each in Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 and two seats in the remaining four districts.

District 6 incumbents Bob Fox and Craig Chambers, both of Danville, already have petitions to begin circulating, according the county clerk’s office. Mike Dodge, who was appointed to fill a District 9 vacancy on the board in July, has obtained petitions to run for that seat.

As of Friday, Terry Wilkus of Tilton was the sole potential challenger for a county board seat. He picked up a petition for District 5.

A state bill earlier this year moved up the upcoming election, taking the primary from its annual March date and scheduling it Feb. 5. The general election remains the second Tuesday in November, which is Nov. 4, 2008.