By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – The heated rhetoric that’s marked the McLean County Clerk’s contest showed no signs of cooling off Thursday night as the two candidates met for their first and possibly only joint appearance.
Democratic challenger Nikita Richards said she’s taking the “high road,” but won’t apologize for telling the truth.
Richards not mince words in her opening statement at a forum hosted by public radio station WGLT and the local League of Women Voters.
“I’m running to bring positive change and new ideas to an office with a history of nepotism and mismanagement,” said Richards.
Incumbent Republican Kathy Michael accused Richards of lying about her record, including whether Michael broke the law when she didn’t start early voting on time during the March primary.
Michael called Richards a “young lady” when pushing back on the challenger’s claims that polling places might not be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Michael also did not apologize for calling Richards and her backers “radical socialists.”
“I can’t imagine if anybody gets offended at being called a radical socialist,” said Michael.
“I don’t know if that’s necessarily an insult. That’s something for voters to look at, and decide if that’s the way they would like to go,” added Michael, who’s seeking a third term.
The rivals, each facing allegations of ethical misconduct, agreed they should let investigations run their course, but they believe they’ll be vindicated.
The two shook hands after the encounter, witnessed by a packed house at Heartland Community College.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
