Wegman drops out of county board race
Citing increased family responsibilities, longtime Elgin resident Larry Wegman said Tuesday he is withdrawing as the Republican candidate for the Kane County Board District 20 seat.
"It's a difficult decision to make," said Wegman, 66. "When you start something, you'd like to finish it."
Wegman said he needs to spend more time caring for his 92-year-old mother and babysit his 2-year-old granddaughter during the week.
Wegman was set to square off against Democratic nominee Christina Castro and Green Party candidate Julie Schmitt in the Nov. 4 election.
This past spring, Castro knocked off Jesus de la Isla, who was appointed in November 2006 to serve the remainder of the District 20 term, which ends next spring.
Last fall, Wegman's GOP challenger, Richard Bennett, was thrown off the spring ballot for incorrectly numbering his petitions.
Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham said the party has until Sept. 3 to name another person for the November contest.
Kane County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Kenyon said he and two District 20 precinct committeemen would meet in the next week to talk about replacements.
Kenyon said if the committeemen agreed, he'd be open to asking Bennett to take the ballot slot.
Bennett, though, said he would have to think it over because he enjoys his free time and is considering buying a farm in Iowa.
"I was very hesitant about getting back into (local politics)," said Bennett, who also unsuccessfully ran for Elgin City Council in spring 2007.
Wegman said he turned in his notice to party leaders now, well before the campaign push leading up to November began. He didn't want to speculate on whether Bennett or someone else should get the nod.
"There's plenty of time and campaigning really hasn't started yet," he said.
Wegman, who says he's a "90 percent" retired glass and glazing contractor, will continue to serve as a Gail Borden Library board trustee, and member of the Downtown Neighborhood Association and Northeast Neighbors Association.