Ex-Wheaton mayor challenges forest preserve incumbent

Just four years ago, former Wheaton Mayor Jim Carr helped Mike Formento win a seat on the DuPage County Forest Preserve Commission.

Now, Carr wants the seat for himself.

He is announcing his bid for the Republican nomination at a campaign event at 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown Wheaton. Formento announced his re-election bid several months ago.

GOP voters will decide which candidate wins the nod in the Feb. 2, 2010, primary.

"It's not really about Mike," Carr said of his candidacy. "It's about my desire to be in what I call public service."

Carr was Wheaton's mayor for 14 years from 1993 to 2007, and a Wheaton Warrenville Unit District board member for four years before that.

Formento was somewhat surprised when Carr told him he'd be a primary challenger.

"He tells me he has no problems with me whatsoever and I'm doing a good job," Formento said. "He thought it was something he would like to do."

Formento was a county board member for 14 years from 1989 to 2002 and then elected to the forest preserve commission four years ago, with an assist from Carr.

"The irony in this story here is the last two elections he's written glowing letters about how wonderful Mike Formento is and how valuable he is," Formento said.

Carr called Formento "singularly qualified" in a letter sent to District 4 Republican voters in 2006 urging them to vote for Formento.

"I want him representing our district and serving the entire DuPage community as well," Carr's letter read.

Besides taking on an incumbent, Carr is taking on the Milton Township GOP committee chairman as he goes up against Formento. Formento already has secured endorsements from forest preserve district President Dewey Pierotti and DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom.

"When I ran for mayor, I ran against a councilman and I hadn't been on the council, so I'm hoping lightning strikes again," Carr said. "I believe in the party - maybe not on everything - but I've been a lifelong Republican and I believe it's about the people electing and ultimately deciding who will lead them."

Formento doesn't believe Carr is out of line seeking his seat.

"This is America," he said. "Everybody has the right to do what they think they need to do."

Carr said his skills managing Wheaton's budget over the years will help him in the new position he seeks.

But Formento said that's a role he currently fills on the commission.

"I'm called a fiscal watchdog," Formento said. "I have always been the leader making certain we're spending and doing things right."