Kincaid weighing run for Hoffman Estates mayor

Hoffman Estates Trustee Raymond Kincaid confirmed Thursday he will be running for local office in 2013, but he is not sure yet for which one.

“I'm weighing my options,” he said in response to rumors he may run for mayor.

Former Hoffman Estates Park District board President Craig Bernacki and current Mayor William McLeod both confirmed Wednesday they intend to run for mayor in April.

Kincaid, who is in his second term as village trustee, said he is a good fit for either mayor or trustee because of his experience, his love for the village — where he has lived for more than 30 years — and his familiarity with what is going on in Hoffman Estates.

“I really do consider myself a public servant,” he said, adding that he doesn't like to get caught up in politics.

Kincaid said when he votes “no” at village board meetings it is because he has thoroughly reviewed something and questions it, such as expenses he thinks could be better managed.

“My goal is to represent the community in the best way possible,” he said. “I vote my conscience and I don't try to be swayed by other people to vote a different way than how I feel would be best for the community.”

Kincaid said he believes the village can improve on a number of things, such as attracting more business. He is discouraged, he said, when businesses open in surrounding villages like Streamwood and Schaumburg that could have opened in Hoffman Estates.

“We need to help each other in this economy,” he said. “This is where businesses should want to be.”

A story in Thursday's paper about McLeod and Bernacki announcing their candidacies also mentioned Kincaid's possible candidacy for mayor. However, the Daily Herald did not attempt to reach him Wednesday and instead talked with him Thursday.

Kincaid said he does not have a personal deadline to decide which office to run for.

As of Tuesday, Aug. 28, candidates for Hoffman Estates municipal offices could begin passing petitions to collect the signatures they need to become certified candidates.

Those petitions must be filed between Nov. 19-Nov. 26.

In order to trigger a primary, there would have to be at least four candidates for either mayor or clerk, or 12 or more candidates for trustee, said Village Clerk Bev Romanoff.

If needed, the primary would be held Feb. 26, 2013. The general election is April 9.