The Illinois Dem woes apparently aren't limited to the governor and his associates, and some of the smarter ones may already be making moves to flee a sinking ship.TA hears that Democratic Sheriff Mark Curran of Lake County is bailing on the Dems and will announce he is switching parties to become a Republican. A press conference is scheduled for 9:30 on Monday morning at Lake County Republican Headquarters in Libertyville.
We expect a press release from the Lake County GOP shortly.
Until Sheriff Curran speaks, we don't know exactly the reason for the switch, or the timing, but it would not be too much of a guess that it has to do with the ethics issues of local and state Democrats, not only the governor and his issues, but perhaps Terry Link and his crew. As TA readers know, Sheriff Curran has shown signs of dissatisfaction with the Lake County Dems before, notably his endorsement of Republican State's Attorney Michael Waller this past election. The negative reaction of the Lake County Dems to that move by Curran probably didn't help his opinion of that bunch.
Much more on this soon.
UPDATED: The Daily Herald has a very short story up (TA's Note- this article has now been expanded).
UPDATED x2: And so does the News-Sun.
UPDATED x3 12.13.08: CURRAN EDITORIALS, ARTICLES AND CHAT: The News-Sun this morning has an editorial on the Curran jump to the GOP. They also throw their support to a special election for the Obama senate seat, rather than letter Quinn or anyone else make a single-handed appointment decision, regardless of the cost for such an election.
Also, here's Sun-Times and Tribune coverage of the Curran story.
By the way, TA had a great chat with Sheriff Curran last night at a holiday event and I could not be more pleased with his decision. Several of the comments he made about the infighting and lack of ethics evident in the Lake County Democratic party I found quite insightful and illuminating. Given Curran's refreshing candor about State's Attorney Michael Waller's opponent when Curran endorsed Waller, I look forward to Curran's comments at the presser on Monday when he explains his move. Welcome, Mark!
Also, for anyone keeping track, that means that all four county-wide offices up for election in 2010 (Sheriff, County Clerk, Superintendent of Schools, and County Treasurer) will be held by GOP incumbents.
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10 comments:
WOW! Finally, the first Democrat to do the right thing...
Instead of the same old, "I haven't talked to the governor since 2007 blah, blah, blah..."
You can't fix the Dem party from the inside...it's just too corrupt...
A few officers of the Republican Assembly of Lake Co. persuaded Sheriff Curran to switch. Curran is pro-gun rights, anti-illegal alien, and pro-life.
Phil Collins
Welcome aboard Sheriff Curran!
Louis G. Atsaves
Welcome Sheriff Curran!
Good grief, Phil. Give it a rest.
Oh, did you hear the RALC was in negotiations with the sun for the last week and that is why the sun came up this morning....
and the colonel's face is so red....
As if Ellen's blog is proof enough that the Democrats are the wimp party in America, the fact that their sheriff is now bailing on them-pun intended, should serve as further validation.
For other Democrats out there sick of feeling abandoned by the elites in your party that care more about their political futures than your families future, please feel free to join the RIGHT team.
Fan of King Louis Astaves the Ellen Slayer
(FOKLAES)
Mark is NOT switching parties. He is going BACK to
where he came from-THE REPUBLICANS. He supported WALLER in 2004 and had a sign for him in his law office window. He knows where his bread is buttered.
He is NOT the ethical man he thinks he is. Neither parties are ethical for that matter The sheriff's spot was only a stepping stone for Mark- he always had his eye on other things. Mark has an agenda and the citizens of Lake County are playing right into his hand.
I for one am very angry at Mark Curran. He ran against Republican Gary Del Re on a platform of corruption in THAT department. This is clearly a political move and no the people of Lake County won't just play into his hands. I remember falling-down-drunk Phil Crane selling his own seat to any corporate interest for years, and the Republicans never said boo about that. May I remind some of you that George Ryan is still in jail himself? Anyone remember the tollway scandels? If Mark Curran didn't want to be a Democrat, he should not have run as a Democrat but clearly he did to just get in since no one was voting Republican 2 years ago, and step on Lake County to move on. Another politician out for himself.
Apparently the angry Dems are out in force this morning, but not smart enough to post comments on the top story instead of the one that's days old already.
If the blogger doesn't want people to post here, perhaps the blogger could be smart ehough to close the thread? This is my first visit to this blog and clearly you assume that people are anxiously reading it. Well, no, and thank you for convincing me that it is my last visit also.
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