Sorensen withdraws name from ballot

Posted on May 17, 2016

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael has confirmed that former County Board Chairman Matt Sorensen has filed to have his name removed from the ballot for the general election in November.

Sorensen resigned in January after he was named in a federal indictment for allegedly submitting false invoices and expense reports to companies for private consulting work that was never actually done. Sorensen won a five-way Republican primary in February to retain his seat. It would have been too late for his name to be removed from the ballot.

Sorensen’s removal from the ballot for the general election leaves it up to the county’s Republican committee to slate a candidate, which it would have to do by August 25 to get on the November ballot, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.

The Democratic Party may also slate a candidate.

Scott Murphy of Downs was appointed to Sorensen’s County Board District 2 seat in February and came in second to Sorensen in the primary. Murphy has said he plans to run in the November election.

Sorensen’s federal case is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The judge has given Sorensen permission to skip the hearing.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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