What a weird primary election cycle. One thing that was not unusual was that the northern part of Union County decided the election. That has been true for quite a while when it comes to county race.
We were encouraged to see so many candidates file in December for what was to be a March 17th election day. The coronavirus threatened the viability of the process when many older poll workers didn’t want to be in a crowded indoor space.
The Secretary of the State extended the election and put safeguards in place making it a mail-in ballot only. Voters had to request a ballot and then send it back by April 27 in order to be counted.
Many of the races were tight, including the probate and juvenile judge’s race that was to close to call until all ballots were counted.
The state senate race was the barnburner though. Melissa Ackison and Bill Reineke were vying for the seat vacated by Dave Burke and squared off in what became a knock down, drag out blood bath. The two went toe to toe for the better part of four months mudslinging back and forth in hopes of convincing voters that the other candidate was not the right choice for the position.
Eyeballs were really raised in this contest when a tape was leaked that reportedly had Ackison saying she was getting help from Ryan Piper to get signs made through the school for free. This accusation is now under investigation by the Elections Commission and is part of a case Ackisson filed against Lauren Durant in Union County. Durant is the person who allegedly taped the conversation at Ackison’s house in November.
Speaking of November, locally we will have three races that will be contested: state representative, clerk of courts and one county commissioner seat.
The governor has included in his talking points that as the state re-opens voters will have to live with the virus because it’s not going away. This means that time will tell if the November election will be altered in any way. Let’s hope not.