Jagla likely to stay on ballot

Stan Jagla will survive the challenge to his petitions -- keeping a Democratic primary in 6th Congressional District alive unless something unusual happens Friday.

An initial petition challenge by fellow Democrat Robert Flynn left Jagla with a cushion of only 27 signatures to stay on the Feb. 5 ballot.

Flynn then re-challenged 55 signatures. The Illinois State Board of Elections is set to rule on the re-challenge this Friday.

However, the recommendation from the hearing officer reviewing the re-challenge would knock off only an additional 10 signatures. That would leave Jagla 17 signatures beyond the required minimum.

At this point, even Flynn's attorney, Matt Flamm, expects Jagla to stay on the ballot.

"Either Mr. Jagla had enough signatures, or he did not," Flamm wrote in an e-mailed statement to the Daily Herald. "The hearing officer did a thorough and conscientious job. Although we disagree with the conclusion, we respect the process and the judgment of the hearing officer."

With the race on, Jagla pledged Monday to come after his Democratic competitor, Army Reserve Col. Jill Morgenthaler, with guns blazing.

Jagla said he believes the Morgenthaler campaign was behind Flynn's petition challenge.

Morgenthaler's campaign staff claims Flynn as a supporter, but has said Flynn is not working directly for the campaign.

"I'm going to be much more aggressive," Jagla said. "This pointless petition challenge showed me that being polite with these people doesn't pay."

Morgenthaler spokesman Charles Blumenthal could not be immediately reached for comment late Monday afternoon.