Published: April 04, 2008 06:16 pm      

Eisenhauer withdraws from race

Black expresses interest in state seat

DANVILLE — A young political candidate has stepped aside from a race and a longtime veteran may not retire as soon as he thought.

Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer sent out a press release Friday announcing his intent to step away from the race for state representative in the 104th District, indicating he planned to file the appropriate paperwork with the Illinois State Board of Elections on Friday.

Eisenhauer, who could not be reached for comment on Friday, cited a strong desire to finish the “challenges, goals and objectives we have in this community” as a reason for the surprise announcement.

“Withdrawing now allows me to focus solely on the issues facing the city at this time, and move forward with the exciting opportunities ahead for our community,” the press release indicated.

The 104th District is quickly becoming the seat no one will run for. Eisenhauer is the second Republican candidate to withdraw from the race after fellow GOP candidate Terry Baldwin dropped his bid for the seat in November.

Friday’s announcement leaves Democrat Lori DeYoung of Fithian as the sole candidate.

The decision was a surprise to new Vermilion County Republican Committee chairman Craig Golden, who said he received an e-mail from Eisenhauer with the news.

Golden said Eisenhauer apparently has some “family issues” in addition to continuing his work as mayor.

Golden, who received word Friday morning of the decision, said he hadn’t talked to Eisenhauer in almost a month.

“He’s made the decision he wants to finish out some unfinished business in the city,” Golden said.

State Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, said he knew Eisenhauer had been contemplating such a move, but was unaware of the announcement on Friday.

Eisenhauer, he said, had been concerned about the health of his mother recently, adding that probably had something to do with the decision.

The next step for Republicans in Vermilion and Champaign counties is to decide upon a new candidate for the seat. Black, who has held the seat since January 1986, is the first person to come to mind.

The longtime legislator said it had not been in his plans, but he wouldn’t shy away from a return to the General Assembly.

“If they ask me, I won’t be coy,” he said from Mesa, Ariz., where he was visiting his father. “I will accept and will run and will run full speed. I’m not going to play games.

“I have a lot of emotional and physical energy wrapped up in representing this area.”

Golden said he plans to talk to the Champaign County party chairman when they attend a conference today in Springfield. Decisions must be made as to when a meeting can be set up between the two Republican parties so a new candidate can be chosen.

An immediate timeline was unknown, but Golden said the decision would be made in the “shortest time possible.”

Black said as recently as December that he decided to step away from the office when his term ends for health reasons and to spend more time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

If he were to run again for office, Black said he would have to learn to manage his time a little better “until I get all the things done that I need to get done.”

Eisenhauer, in his press release, thanked volunteers as well as Republican Party officials for the belief they had in him. His announcement, the press release indicated, will allow party members to fill the vacancy on the ballot.

The Danville mayor said in December that he spent a great deal of time considering the pros and cons of running for state office. At that time he still admitted a longing for his city position.

“I love the job that I’m doing,” he said at that time. “I love trying to make a difference in the community. My only thought was if I were to seek that seat, would I still be able to make a difference not only in Danville, but throughout Vermilion County?”

Eisenhauer was elected mayor in 2003. He has faced recent challenges in deciding upon cuts to balance the city’s budget.

Eisenhauer cited the challenges of the office as well as a “long to-do list still in front of me” as reasons for his decision to stay.

“Timing is everything, and I feel with what I wish to accomplish both personally and professionally, it is more appropriate at this time to stay in my elected position as mayor of the City of Danville,” he said in the press release.