GOP loses Kane County official

Kane County Board member John Noverini cut all ties with the Republican Party Thursday -- and plans to run as a Democrat seeking election as a judge.

Now in his second term on the Kane County Board, the former Carpentersville trustee has been a Republican since the mid-1980s.

Thursday, however, that came to an end as Noverini resigned his posts as Republican committeeman for Dundee Township Precinct 27 and as chairman of the Dundee Township Republican Central Committee.

He harshly criticized the state Republican leadership, saying those at the top have lost their way.

"It has become a party of exclusion, not inclusion -- a party where ideas and accomplishments consistently take second place to ideology and status quo," Noverini said in a prepared release.

"The Republican leadership in Illinois has lost touch with the average voter, lacks the ability to communicate a consistent message and direction, and has single-handedly rendered themselves irrelevant," he said.

Conversely, Noverini said the Democratic Party more closely represents his dedication to serving the public.

"I want to be a judge and believe the best way to accomplish that goal is to take the bold step of aligning myself with a party that better reflects my views concerning public service," Noverini said.

He will seek election as a judge in the 2nd subcircuit of the 16th circuit.

So far, Noverini is the lone Democratic candidate for the seat, as no one else has indicated an intent to run in the Feb. 5 primary, Democratic leaders said Thursday.

If he advances in the primary and is elected to the circuit court in November 2008, Noverini said he would step down from the county board.

In the meantime, he plans on serving on the county board as a Democrat. His term expires in 2010.

With the switch, the county board now has 16 Republicans and 10 Democrats.

"I really enjoy serving on the county board because it is so nonpartisan -- Democrats and Republicans work well together on the county board. That's how government should run," Noverini said. "People are tired of all of the partisanship."

Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnauhey said Noverini's switch would not affect his position on the board.

"He is still a county board member," McConnaughey said. "He is just leaving his posts with the Republican Party. That has no impact on his job on the county board."

Noverini serves as chairman of the board's finance commission and is a member of several other committees and commissions.

Kane County Democratic Central Committee Chairman Mark Guethle said his party "fully supports" Noverini's campaign.

"We want to put candidates out that are qualified, and he is highly qualified for the post," Guethle said. "His credentials and experience speak for themselves. He is very intelligent and we welcome him to the party."

The decision, though, puzzled some Republicans.

"I don't quite follow what he is doing, but he must know what he is thinking," Kane County Republican Central Committee Chairman Denny Wiggins said. "John is doing what he thinks is his best shot of becoming a judge. Evidently he didn't want to run in the primary."

Others called Noverini's departure a loss to the Republican Party.

Dundee Township Supervisor Sue Harney, who served as Dundee Township Republican Central Committee vice chairman under Noverini, said she is sorry to see him leave the party.

"It is regrettable that this has happened and it is a loss for the Republican Party to lose such a good public official who is very dedicated," said Harney, who will now serve as the interim central committee chairman. "He has the time and intelligence, which are good attributes for a public servant."