I’m reporting tonight from the studios of WCBU! Jonathan Ahl and Tanya Koonce were nice enough to let me hang out with them and let me blog from one of their computers.
So, without further ado, and with 100% of precincts reporting, the results from Tuesday’s primary are as follows:
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gary Sandberg | 5518.41 | 17% |
| 2 | Ryan Spain | 4575.33 | 14% |
| 3 | George Jacob | 4540.83 | 14% |
| 4 | Eric Turner | 4371.16 | 14% |
| 5 | Jim Montelongo | 3420.08 | 11% |
| 6 | Gale Thetford | 2233.66 | 7% |
| 7 | Patti Polk | 1622.24 | 5% |
| 8 | Dan Irving | 1592.25 | 5% |
| 9 | Charles Schierer | 1565.16 | 5% |
| 10 | Gloria Cassel Fitzgerald | 945.83 | 3% |
| 11 | Dan Gillette | 602.66 | 2% |
| 12 | Brad Carter | 566.50 | 2% |
| 13 | Kelley Mammen | 338.25 | 1% |
| 14 | Donald Cummings | 327.58 | 1% |
There was about a 9.7% voter turnout for this primary, which is, of course, pathetic, but in the world of local primaries is actually not that bad. The top ten vote-getters move on to the general election on April 17.
No surprise, Gary Sandberg came in first by a commanding margin. I mentioned this on the radio, but in the last at-large election Gary also got a large showing, and apparently people really couldn’t believe it. Really. They couldn’t believe it so much that they actually had Bradley do a study to find out if he only got in because of cumulative voting. The result: Gary had a very broad base of support. He not only had the most votes, but the most voters casting their ballot for him, too. It looks like he hasn’t lost that support over the past four years.
The biggest surprise was Ryan Spain finishing in second place, ahead of two of the three incumbents. He’s well on his way to the state house city council (sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself).
If the top five vote-getters end up being the five at-large council members in the general election, it’s not really going to change the makeup of the council. Spain is pretty much an even swap for John Morris. There is no one quite like Chuck Grayeb, but voting-wise, I’ll bet Jim Montelongo will be closer to him than, say, Sandberg.
Good news: Gale Thetford finished in sixth, about 1200 votes behind the fifth-place finisher. Let’s hope that holds up. Bad news: Dan Irving didn’t have a stronger showing and, while anything is possible, it’s realistically not likely that he’ll be able to make up the 6% difference to overtake the three candidates in front of him.
Of course, with the general election comes more voters, so the primary may not be an accurate picture of voter sentiment. So, who knows how it will all shake out. If I were to make a prediction at this point, though, I would bet that the top five vote getters are going to end up being the next at-large councilmen.
Finally, we must say goodbye to last place finishers Dan Gillette, Brad Carter, Kelley Mammen, and Donald Cummings. I was hoping that Brad would make it past the primary; perhaps he’ll run again in the future.
On to the general election! Let the games begin.
You just can’t believe that Ryan Spain is truly concerned with Peoria and is using this election like Aaron Schock did to get to the State House, can you? Why don’t you do some in depth investigation you are so famous for and check the guy out?
aside: Good news? Gale Thetford winning? I thought you were smarter than that.
Spain’s finish also surprised me. I would have voted for him except for his veiws on support for the Trail, as well as the TIF for the Civic Center hotel.
Guess we’ll wait til April now.
My sympathies to Brad Carter, but don’t count him out yet. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to him one on one and he is definitely interested in the best for the Peoria area.
Emtronics, the reason Thetford finishing 6th is good news because in the general election only the top 5 are in, which would explain “let’s hope that holds up”.
And I feel the same way about Spain. Just my gut feeling.
And I bet the Journal Star isn’t very happy with the Sandberg landslide.
Gary, I hope you’re around for many years to come.
Emtronics: Mazr is right. While Thetford made it through the primary, she came in sixth. If she stays in sixth or lower in the general election, she’ll lose. That’s good news.
As far as Spain being “concerned about Peoria,” I believe all the candidates are concerned about Peoria, but there are different approaches one can take. According to the questionnaires I’ve read, Spain takes an opposite position from me on issues I care about — why should I support him?
Results are about what I expected we’d see from the primary race. While it’s hard to draw any conclusions about what the general election results will show, it at least gives us a relative indication of the candidate’s appeal to the voters.
Overall, the top five finishers would make a great slate of at-large City Council members over the next four years. There is a good diversity of opinion in the mix and most of these candidates ran on more than a single issue platform which bodes well for future action and decision-making. While many lament the lack of “basic services” candidates, I think that there are many within this five. The difference may be in how these individuals approach strengthening basic services.
Of all the people who are suprised Brad Carter didn’t make top ten, how many of you actually voted for him? I have heard this gripe from several people that supported him but then voted for someone else. When we get the status quo again I don’t want to hear any complaints.
All the people who are afraid that the next council will be the same status quo, I expect to see you at the council meetings. Let’s keep our elected officials on task. We have to make noise in person. “We the People” are the government. I would echo the comments that most of the candidates care about this city and truely want whats best for everyone. Thank you all who supported me. I have not quit the fight, just switched directions. I have updated my website, and I encourage all of you to check out my preliminary endorsements.
Hula Monkey: I voted for Brad! 🙂
Brad got a 1 1/4 vote from me.
PI: Same from me! 🙂
Brad got my vote also…..
Well if two more people post that they too voted for Brad and of course Brad voted for himself, then that would be everybody, right?
Way to kick a guy when he’s down, Emtronics. Feel better now?
Geez, sorry CJ, doubt Brad is down though.
he received two votes from our household. We don’t bullet vote. We choose the best team possible.
and em that was pretty rough on a guy who actually walks your streets to make things safer..
Emtronics,
At least Brad has the courage to stand up for what he believes in no matter how popular or unpopular it may be. Can you say the same?
Again, thanks to all who supported me.
And to Emtronics, thank you for keeping true to yourself. Ryan Spain is a good candidate with fresh ideas. I like the guy a lot. You have been my reality check. If I cannot take a little chiding, then I should not be in politics.
Mr Carter, that’s all it was, a little chiding, guess it came off different but since the quick little posts came along “I voted..” I voted..” it sounded like a group of cheerleaders. I thought I’d insert some leviiity. Ever hit the “Enter” key and then want to take it back? Well…..
We’ve met and I respect you and really wish you would have made the top 5 even though I didn’t vote for you. I probably would have voted for you had you made the general though but thought another candidate needed my support more. Sorry….
Emtronics,
Just why exactly is Ryan Spain such a breath of fresh air?
He has only one sentence slogans on the card he mailed and passes out. That’s not a breath of fresh air, it’s the same old same old true politician. I’ve heard him speak many times and never once heard a “new idea.” Actually never heard a specific idea either. Don’t keep flacking for him without telling us what exactly those fresh new ideas are.
You’ve been shilling for Spain non-stop. Is Spain giving your son free rent or what?
Nope he’s not. You have never seen Spain being interviewed on WEEK? I just know Ryan Spain and I believe he’ll do a good job on the Council if elected. Fresh air? Yes considering what we have now, he is just that. All I am saying is give him a chance. He has a different approach to help solve some of the problems we have in Peoria. One person isn’t going to fix everything but if we elect a group that will, maybe things will get done. Ryan should be part of that group.