56th District race a party battle between unknowns

With Ryan Higgins elected the Republican nominee for the 56th District state House seat this week, both parties are gearing up for what promises to be a fierce contest to succeed state Rep. Paul Froehlich in the fall.

Froehlich began his tenure as a Republican in what had always been a strongly Republican district. But his successful re-election in 2008 after switching to the Democratic Party a year earlier called into question just how partisan the district's voters still are.

And the idea that most people have moved beyond party labels in choosing the best candidate is one that appeals to Democratic candidate Michelle Mussman. She, like her opponent, is seeking elected office for the first time.

"I like the idea of a normal, community person speaking for their community," she said.

But Froehlich said leaders of both parties will surely see such suburban races whose outcomes are in question as more than just opportunities for civic duty.

"(Democratic House Speaker Mike) Madigan wants to keep his majority and (Republican leader Tom) Cross wants to reduce it or take it back," Froehlich said. "This is the battleground where the numbers are being fought."

Sara Wojcicki, a spokeswoman for Cross' office, agreed.

"This is definitely one of the races we're concentrating on," she said. "We believe it is a Republican district, as there were more Republican ballots cast Tuesday."

In fact, Higgins received 46 more votes in his contested race than Mussman did in her unopposed primary, according to unofficial results.

While Froehlich is backing Mussman, what role he may play in her campaign will be up to her and party leaders, he said.

"I met her a few times," Froehlich said. "I've been impressed by what I've seen. She seems very energetic and personable."

Mussman, 37, of Schaumburg was a graphic artist who became the stay-at-home mom of three boys. She said her involvement in school and sports activities led others to suggest she take her community commitment to a higher level.

Mussman has won the approval of local and state Democratic leaders, but she said her involvement with them has not been extensive yet, probably due to her uncontested primary.

Democratic Party spokesman Steve Brown said he believes the support she has of local community leaders is the more important to her success than state party support.

For Schaumburg Township Democratic Committeeman Rocco Terranova, this race will be the true test of whether the district is as strongly Republican as it long seemed. He said both he and House Speaker Madigan feel confident they've found the best candidate to keep the seat Democratic.

Aside from her community involvement, Mussman has the passion and vitality one needs in politics for when the going gets tough, Terranova said.

He pointed out that neither party has gone with a career politician this time. "I firmly believe the best way to win an election is to meet a lot of people yourself - not through literature," Terranova said.

"You can get name recognition by running a vigorous campaign," Froehlich agreed.

Higgins, a 28-year-old health care attorney from Schaumburg, said he did have to work in the Republican primary to overcome the name recognition of Anita Forte-Scott. She is a Schaumburg Township District Library trustee and had run for state representative once before.

Schaumburg Township Republican Committeeman Mike Adelizzi believes Ryan's successful primary gives him a lead over Mussman. It brought him greater name recognition and the primary effort improved the local party organization, he said.

While Higgins has proved able to raise money on his own, Adelizzi said it was too early to predict how much money either state party might be willing to spend on the November race in their bid to control the House.

"I don't think the 56th District is the absolute bellwether," Adelizzi said, though he believes it remains a Republican stronghold despite the personal loyalty Froehlich was able to draw on in the 2008 election.

The 56th District includes Schaumburg and parts of Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Hanover Park, Roselle and Bloomingdale.