Who should lead DuPage Democrats?

It's a good time to be a Democrat in DuPage County.

But while county Democrats should be at their most united, two factions are squaring off for party control.

Riding a wave of popularity that saw more county Democrats cast ballots in the February primary than Republicans for the first time in anyone's memory, local Democratic Chairman Rob Bisceglie is trying to stave off a challenge by the leader of an offshoot group that has been busy recruiting precinct committeemen.

It will be those new committeemen who will decide Wednesday night whether Operation: Turn DuPage Blue Chairman Bob Peickert will succeed Bisceglie. Bisceglie has held the job for less than a year.

Local Democrats, though, say the power struggle is nothing more than friendly competition.

"This may be a short-term distraction," said Bob Brandt, a Woodridge Democrat seeking a county board seat in November, "but I believe everyone will come together by the election."

Nearly 250 Democrats are expected to vote on party leadership at 7:30 p.m. at the county's Democratic convention at the Wheaton Park District Community Center at 1777 S. Blanchard St. The conventions are mandated by state law and must occur every two years and 29 days after a primary.

Both candidates share similarities, but they admit to style differences when it comes to leadership.

Bisceglie has said he wants to professionalize the party's staff. Peickert said he believes local Democrats should lead the party, not paid consultants.

"I want a campaign office that's open regularly and a political director position that's paid, and I believe that professional organization is important to the long-term future of the party," Bisceglie said.

If elected, Peickert said he would lead the local Democrats full-time, unpaid.

"I plan to pursue this as a full-time job and I do not plan to accept one nickel," he said. "We don't have the luxury of (county board Chairman) Bob Schillerstrom's war chest, so we have to spend our money wisely, and when we do it has to be determined how it's going to get a Democrat elected."

The 63-year-old Peickert, a retired teacher and union negotiator from Elmhurst, and the 35-year-old Bisceglie, who hails from Roselle, also don't see eye to eye on filling gaps on the November ballot.

"It makes the party look weak when there's an open space on the ballot," Peickert said. "I think we should fill them with somebody."

Bisceglie said they should seek to fill as many open spots as possible before the April 7 filing deadline, but with candidates who have been screened and are qualified.

"As a party we have to be thoughtful and careful who we slate," Bisceglie said.

Some candidates who went through the primary process urge caution when adding candidates to the November ballot.

Dirk Enger, a Democrat seeking one of two District 6 county board seats, said he's got momentum and wants to continue running alone.

"I do not want another name on the ballot," he said. "I don't want to worry about someone splitting the vote."

But other county board candidates who don't have running mates where the Republicans do, say they wouldn't mind the company on the ballot.

"It might take away some votes, but then again it may add some," said District 4 Democratic candidate Richard Dunn. "I would hope they look to fill slots where there currently is no choice first, though."

Both Bisceglie and Peickert said the other is better at garnering publicity for themselves than the party.

"What they've done is gotten more publicity for Turn DuPage Blue or Bob, not the candidates," Bisceglie said. "When this party needed leadership I stuck my neck out; my opponent did not."

Bisceglie took over the county party chairmanship late last year when Gayl Ferraro stepped down after serving nearly six years. Peickert said he'd wait until the convention to run for the seat.

"It seems to me the way that Rob is running the organization is the way it was run before, with little input from more than just two or three people," Peickert said. "And he's got a political director who's pretty much working for Rob Bisceglie, and there's more to that job than promoting Rob."

DuPage Republicans will also convene Wednesday. There is no announced challenge to state Sen. Dan Cronin retaining the chairmanship of the local GOP. He is also not picking a favorite for the Democratic race.

"Let them have their convention and may the best Democrat win," he said.

Whatever the outcome of Wednesday's Democratic leadership vote, both Peickert and Bisceglie have promised to pool resources to oust as many Republicans as possible.

"Wednesday, we're going to be so unified, you're going to have no idea," Peickert said.