McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael put out a news release late Wednesday night suggesting her Democratic opponent is behind the filing an ethics complaint to tarnish her reputation. (WJBC file photo)
By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – The Republican seeking a third term as McLean County Clerk is calling on supporters to stand up against what she described as a “radical, socialist agenda” that is trying to smear her and take over the county.
County Clerk Kathy Michael made the statement in a late-night news release Wednesday revealing an ethics complaint has been filed against her.
Michael is locked in a bitter contest against Democratic challenger Nikita Richards.
The incumbent office holder said she plans on providing more details soon about the ethics complaint against her, including who she believes is responsible for filing it.
Michael said no one tied to her campaign or the Republican Party filed a similar complaint against Richards regarding her activities as a Bloomington city government employee.
Just after Labor Day, Michael conducted a news conference, claiming Richards falsely accused her office of voter suppression and even racism.
Michael did not comment at the time on charges made by county Democrats that she used county equipment to perform political work and blocked several people from viewing the county clerk’s official Facebook page.
Michael said the ethics complaint against her is a “typical October surprise” and part of a “win-at-any-cost” mentality that’s prevalent in state and national politics.
According to Michael, the county GOP will issue a news release soon to call for a unified effort to “stop this radical, socialist agenda” from taking over the county.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]