A wide-open Republican primary campaign for the legislative seat held for decades by staunch conservative Bernard Pedersen is likely if state Rep. Robert Bergman carries out his surprise promise to withdraw from the race Tuesday.
As the Palatine Township Republican committeeman, Bergman appointed himself to fill Pedersen’s shoes when the veteran lawmaker died hours after his re-election in November 1996. And early Monday morning, the opening of the election season, Bergman filed his candidacy petitions.
But Bergman said later Monday he planned to withdraw to spend more time with his youngest son, who is 18 and still at home.
“The past year, spending so much time in Springfield has been difficult,” said Bergman, a single father of four. “Looking ahead to three months of continual campaigning, it became apparent that it would cause more problems. It is a tough decision, but I think it is best for my family.”
Suzanne Bassi, who ran against Pedersen in the 1996 GOP primary, also filed for the seat.
“We were up at 4:45 a.m. and in line by 5:30,” Bassi said. “We are running hard. I want the job.”
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Bergman said he will bow out early in the filing period, which ends at 5 p.m. next Monday, to allow others to gather the minimum 300 signatures. He declined to comment on the candidacy of Bassi, who had sharply criticized his self-appointment.
Bergman held 60 percent of the votes in the two-person committee legally required to choose Pedersen’s replacement.
Bassi, 52, was a school board member in Palatine Elementary District 15 for eight years.
“Bergman could change his mind, and there is a week left for other people to file,” Bassi said. “I want to earn this seat.”
Sue Walton, who ran against Pedersen in the 1996 general election and cried foul when it became known that Pedersen had been ill during the race, filed for the Democratic nomination.
In Cook County, Democratic County Board Chairman John Stroger filed for re-election, as did his primary challenger, County Commissioner Calvin Sutker.
But the attention was focused on Circuit Court Clerk Aurelia Pucinski, who was circulating petitions for the Republican nomination for County Board chairman–a strong indication that the often-disgruntled Democrat is likely to switch parties soon.
“She’s still in the process of evaluating it,” said spokesman Wade Nelson.
Leading Republicans said Monday they expect Pucinski will make the switch.