Election board tosses three, DiCianni unopposed in 8th GOP primary
DuPage County Board member Pete DiCianni is set to run unopposed in the Republican primary in the 8th Congressional District after election officials voted today to remove his three opponents from the March 15 ballot.
Republicans Andrew Straw of Streamwood, Joseph Hantsch of Wood Dale and Richard Evans of Elgin did not submit the required 475 valid petition signatures to run, the board ruled unanimously.
All could appeal.
Straw, a disability rights advocate, turned in a petition with 128 signatures. He argued that, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, he was entitled to certain accommodations and should be allowed to turn in fewer signatures.
"There should not be disability discrimination in employment," Straw said. "This is a job, I'm applying for it."
Evans, who submitted 434 signatures, said he complied with the "spirit" of the election laws, but he was rejected as well.
The board found that 175 of the 547 signatures submitted by Hantsch were invalid, and he was also removed from the ballot.
Hantsch was not at the meeting. He said in an email after that he's disappointed in the board's decision.
"I accept the ruling of the Election Board and I urge any and all people who would have supported me to do as I intend and to support the eventual Republican nominee in this election," he said.
DiCianni, for now the only candidate, would face the winner of a crowded Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates, who is running for U.S. Senate.
State Sen. Michael Noland of Elgin, Schaumburg businessman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Villa Park Mayor Deborah Bullwinkel are competing for the Democratic nomination.
Meanwhile, in the 5th Congressional District race, Rob Sherman, a Green Party candidate and atheist advocate from Buffalo Grove, was allowed to stay on the ballot. However, Richard "Riverview" Mayers of Chicago was removed as a Green Party Candidate. The board found that Mayers was not a registered voter during the election filing time frame, and therefore his candidacy was not valid.
Sherman or Warren "Grizz" Grimsley, a Green Party candidate from Chicago, would face Democratic incumbent Rep. Mike Quigley in the November general election. No Republican has filed to run for the seat.