Schneider challenger knocked off primary ballot

As expected, the Democrat hoping to unseat U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider in the 10th House District was knocked off the primary election ballot Thursday because of problems with his nominating petitions.

The Illinois State Board of Elections ruled Buffalo Grove resident Adam Broad's petitions didn't have enough signatures of registered 10th District voters to get his name on the March 17 ballot.

The legitimacy of the signatures on Broad's petition had been formally challenged by Northbrook resident Julie Rosner, resulting in a state review, records indicate.

Rosner alleged some of the signers weren't registered to vote at the addresses on the forms. She also alleged some signatures were forgeries and others belonged to people living outside the 10th District, documents show.

Hundreds of signatures were flagged for removal after the state's review, and the state election board's decision to sustain Rosner's objection left Broad with fewer than the minimum number needed to be on the ballot.

After Thursday's ruling, Broad complained that his access to the ballot had been "legally stolen."

"It's part of the political game," said Broad, a Vernon Township trustee and self-described Democratic Socialist. He pledged to run a write-in campaign.

Schneider, a three-term congressman from Deerfield, now is the lone Democratic candidate on the ballot. A Schneider spokesman declined to comment.

Winnetka resident Valerie Ramirez Mukherjee is the lone Republican candidate.