GOP candidate stays on ballot after voting Democrat last year

Attempts to derail Republican Steve Rauschenberger's comeback bid hit a roadblock Thursday, likely sending the matter into the courts as the primary fast approaches.

Rauschenberger will remain on the ballot in the Republican primary to take on Democratic state Sen. Michael Noland in the Elgin area under a decision by the state board of elections commission.

The board voted Thursday along party lines, 4-4, on a challenge to Rauschenberger's candidacy. Five votes were required to kick him off the ballot.

Democrats have been trying to get Rauschenberger off the ballot by claiming he is not a qualified Republican because he pulled a Democratic ballot in this year's local elections.

Ironically, the challenge is based on case law that came out of a Republican appeal last year to kick a Democratic challenger out because he voted in the Republican primary.

Both sides expect the case to end up in the courts, where a final decision may not come for weeks. The primary is Feb. 2.

But for now, Rauschenberger remains on the ballot while three people have filed to run as write-in candidates with his bid under contention.

The write-in candidates include Kane County Recorder of Deeds Sandy Wegman as well as Rauschenberger supporters Elgin Township Clerk Kurt Kojzarek and Elgin attorney Jeff Meyer.

Rauschenberger, who held the Senate seat for 14 years and now leads a Republican fundraising group, says he pulled a Democratic ballot earlier this year to vote for a relative in a township race.

The attorney pushing for Rauschenberger's removal is Michael Kasper, who has declined to comment on an ongoing case. He is an attorney for the Illinois Democratic Party.