Hanover Township trustees vying for Democratic committeeman

The race for Hanover Township Democratic committeeman has one candidate taking aim at the other's loyalty to the party.

Both Steve Caramelli and Howard Krick, who will square off in the Tuesday, March 18 primary election, serve on the Hanover Township board of trustees.

And both say they have the local contacts to strengthen the Democratic organization.

But Caramelli, a 37-year-old Illinois state trooper, said in a Daily Herald questionnaire that his commitment to Democratic causes sets him apart from his opponent. Caramelli also is the campaign manager for state Rep. Fred Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat, in an uncontested primary for the 44th House District seat.

“I have the experience and skill sets to run campaigns, organize volunteers (and) build relationships with state, county and local officials,” Caramelli, of Hoffman Estates, said in the questionnaire.

Krick, a 54-year-old sales consultant for a Naperville car dealership, said he was a member of Hanover Elects Responsible Officials, a historically GOP-affiliated organization, but broke ties six months ago.

“Nothing really got done,” Krick said.

The Streamwood man said he was approached by local Democratic leaders to run for the post.

“Have I voted Republican before? Yes. But I have voted Democrat, especially in the last primary. Sometimes you waver back and forth.”

If elected, Krick, who called himself “more independent,” said he would focus on reaching out to younger voters by helping establish a Young Democrats chapter.