2 Democrats vie for party's county job
Rivalries between two DuPage Democratic groups have spilled out from behind closed doors to the public realm.
Political leaders Rob Bisceglie and Bob Peickert are vying to become chairman of the Democratic Party of DuPage County.
Chairman Gayl Ferraro announced last month she was stepping down in February to focus on her career.
Bisceglie, a Roselle consultant, is the Democratic Party of DuPage's first vice chairman and unsuccessful candidate for Illinois House District 45 last year.
He announced his decision to seek the chairmanship Monday.
"We're at a critical juncture," Bisceglie said. "The party has what it takes to win in 2008.
"I want to build on our progress and ensure people with different backgrounds and perspectives are included in the process."
Peickert of Elmhurst is president of Turn DuPage Blue, an alternative organization to the county party. He ran unsuccessfully for the county board last year.
The former teacher, union negotiator and small-business owner announced last month he wanted to lead the county organization.
"I have no problem with competition, it's good for the party," Peickert said, adding the campaign will be about leadership style.
He did find fault with Bisceglie, however, for what he considered failing to reach out to Turn DuPage Blue loyalists in his campaign announcement.
The roots of the Democrats' rift, some say, date back to last year's primary when local favorite Christine Cegelis lost to Illinois Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth as nominee for the 6th Congressional District.
A number of Cegelis supporters formed Turn DuPage Blue after the last general election where Democrats came close in several elections in a county where Republicans traditionally hold sway. Organizers said they thought the official party could have done a better job recruiting committeemen and rallying voters.
Bisceglie was one of the original Turn DuPage Blue members but left because he wanted to build up the party from within, he explained.