By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Board member Paul Segobiano might not be ready yet to leave local politics, or even give up his county board seat without a fight.

At the end of his interview Friday with Sam Wood on WJBC’s Afternoon Report, Segobiano made a surprise announcement. He said he’s taking the advice of some county board members, department heads, and people outside of county government who are urging him to explore his options.

Segobiano would not be specific, and he declined to talk about the Democrat who soundly defeated him in Tuesday’s primary, Shayna Watchinski.

Segobiano did not rule out trying run this fall for the District 8 seat he’s held for more than 40 years, although he pledged not to do “anything crazy” to jeopardize his status with the Democratic Party.

Segobiano expressed pride with ability to work with Republicans, who hold a 15-5 county board majority.

“I never looked at them as Republicans, and I can truthfully say they never looked at me as a Democrat,” said Segobiano.

“It’s working within the system, and not against the system,” he added.

“If you think you’re going to come in and rewrite the books, best of luck,” Segobiano also said.

Segobiano noted he served six years as former GOP County Board Chairman Nancy Froelich’s vice chairman, and he lists as one of his good friends current board member and McLean County Republican Party Chairman Chuck Erickson.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]