Democrat Carol Sente (59th Dist.) Ducks Her Party Affiliation on the Campaign Trail (UPDATED: TURELLI vs. MAY)

In what may be a common theme this election cycle, State Representative Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) is running away from her party (the Democrats) at the speed of light. Not only has she apparently been telling people in the community that she is an "independent," her campaign literature indicates nowhere her party affiliation, except for the tiny disclaimer (which, of course, is required by law) that it was paid for by the Democratic party. I have not yet seen any campaign signs go up in the community, but I will be very interested to see if her yard signs identify her a Dem or not.

Here's a sample of one of her recent mailers:




Note the theme: I'm one of you, I'm not one of those louts in Springfield that have run this state into the ground. In fact, the "anti old-boy" network meme even has a hint of gender warfare mixed in to boot that is no doubt designed to appeal to a certain sector of the electorate.

But the really funny part of the mailer is the text that implies that Sente, who was APPOINTED by State Senator Terry Link, and doubtless vetted and blessed by House leader Michael Madigan, went down to Springfield to fight leadership. Not very grateful considering they are the ones that brought you to the party, Carol, ha-ha. But understandable given that being a Dem this cycle appears to be pure poison.

It's also virtually impossible to find a reference to her party affiliation on her campaign website. Contrast it with her Republican opponent, Dan Sugrue.

All this, of course, is very funny for anyone who understands how Sente got to the General Assembly in the first place. It's also quite laughable for someone like Sente to claim independence from the Democratic power structure when your campaign headquarters is in the local U.A.W. building.

It'd be nice if some intrepid reporter would get Sente on the record as stating that she vows to vote against the incumbent Democratic leadership (Madigan) , if she should be elected. That might be a start to actually show some independent chops. But I won't hold my breath.

UPDATED: TURELLI vs. MAY IN THE 58th DISTRICT: Over in the 58th District, where Republican Lauren Turelli is challenging Democratic "stalwart" Karen May, a 10-year Springfield veteran, both candidates are trying to claim the badge of "reformer." So, who will the voters believe is really trying to go down to Springfield to represent their interests, and not the party bosses, the unions, or other special interests? The folks who have already been there and are part of the entrenched power structure (e.g., May, Sente) or the real reformers like Turelli and Sugrue?