Political sparks rekindled from heated 2018 election fight

Posted on August 7, 2019

McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael addressed the County Board’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Photo by Howard Packowitz/WJBC)

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Old wounds have yet to be healed after a contentious local election last year.

Democrats on the McLean County Board went after Republican County Clerk Kathy Michael at Wednesday’s Finance Committee meeting, claiming she’s giving the board incomplete information about a request for more taxpayer dollars to fund next year’s election.

Tempers flared after committee member Carlo Robustelli wanted more details about Michael’s request for $300,000 to $400,000 to equip election judges with iPads.

Democrats also questioned how Michael came up with a prediction for about 85 percent voter turnout next November.

“We are pretty far into the process now, and you’re not giving us any information,” said Democratic board member Shayna Watchinski.

“I don’t know if you’re withholding that information because you’re being intellectually dishonest,” Watchinski said.

Finance Committee Chair Jim Soeldner cut off the testy exchange, recommending Watchinski go to Michael’s office to obtain the information.

Watchinski responded, “The taxpayers of McLean County aren’t interested if her and I are having coffee together or not.”

Michael said she won’t let critics get away with accusations made a year ago during a combative campaign in which Michael won reelection over Democratic challenger Nikita Richards.

“To try to portray this county as having voter suppression or racial leanings, it’s appalling and needs to come to an end,” said Michael.

Democrats also claimed Michael disenfranchised Illinois State University students by allowing them to wait in long lines to vote.

Republican Finance Committee member Chuck Erickson commended Michael for working with ISU to shorten the wait. He said it’s also a problem in places like Chicago.

“To come in here and try to take it out on this county clerk, I think is a little bit over the board,” Erickson said.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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