By Greg Halbleib

BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington woman who defeated a four-decade McLean County Board member says she’s “incredibly disappointed” in her primary opponent.

Shayna Watchinski defeated long-time incumbent Paul Segobiano with 70 percent of the vote in last week’s Democratic primary. Watchinski said her disappointment began when Segobiano declined to give her advice when he was asked during a WJBC interview last week.

“The entire campaign we heard about how he was bipartisan and he could reach across the aisle and work with any and all people, and it was something he was very proud of and touted all the time,” Watchinski told WJBC’s Sam Wood. “Yet when it came to me he couldn’t extend that same courtesy.”

Segobiano said he was exploring his options, but has not responded to WJBC’s follow-up on his next step.

PODCAST: Listen here to Watchinski’s interview with WJBC’s Sam Wood.

Watchinski also reacted to another WJBC interview with the county board’s vice chairman, Jim Soeldner, who expressed some doubt that a “community organizer” would be an effective board member.

“I look forward to meeting Jim so much,” Watchinski said. “I think he has an image of me that’s a little skewed. I look forward to working with him because I think he’s going to be a little surprised.”

Watchinski faces Libertarian Steve Suess in November’s general election.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].