Palatine Township Republicans to Battle it Out in Primary

For as far back as current Palatine Township officials can track, there has not been a primary amongst either Democrats or Republicans, according to Township Supervisor Linda Fleming.

But on February 26, 2013, a primary will be held to sort out which Republicans will face the Democrats in the general election, and it's going to be expensive for taxpayers.

And it could be an expensive one for taxpayers. Fleming said she has seen estimates that the primary election alone could cost as much as $100,000 for Cook County taxpayers. 

Palatine Township Committeeman Aaron Del Mar, who chose to hold the primary, disagrees.

"I don't agree it would cost that much. I do understand the cost associated with holding a primary, but we must give people more of a choice. If not, you are letting a select few people continue to hold seats with a rubber stamp of approval," Del Mar said. 

In a follow-up call to Cook County Clerk David Orr's office, Spokesperson Courtney Greve said with 69 precincts, early voting, delivery, polling costs and U.S. mail voting, the estimated cost for Palatine Township would actually be closer to $125,000.

Del Mar said after vetting all the candidates who are now on the ballot for the February 2013 primary, the Palatine Township Republican Organization chose to endorse a slate. 

"We as an official organization vetted and reviewed all the candidates, and chose a mix of people who have a strong outlook for the future and have served the township and the community well," Del Mar said. 

Supervisor Fleming announced Tuesday she has filed to run for a third term, and was running on a slate with Terry Kelly for assessor, John Powers for highway commissioner, and Chris Adrian, Vince Farina, John Mathias, and Debbie McGuire for trustee.

Del Mar said the Palatine Township Organization offically recognizes only one slate on the primary ballot. That includes: 

Sharon Langlotz-Johnson for supervisor, Tom Kaider for highway commissioner, Kathy Allegretti for clerk, and Bill Pohlman, Art Goes, Kevin McGrane and Bill Huley for trustee. 

Meanwhile, incumbent Palatine Township Clerk Lisa Moran plans to run alone, and Kevin O'Connell, Julie Ann Johnson and Jason Hillenbrand all will be running for trustee on the same ticket, according to Fleming. 

Democrats, on the other hand, have chosen to have a caucus and will present their full list of candidates for the April 9, 2013 general election.

However the primary turns out, the top vote-getters for supervisor, highway commissioner, assessor, clerk, and four trustee seats will move on to the general election to face the democratic slate. 

"It could be a mixed outcome, and that will be because those are the candidates voters want to see represent them," Del Mar said. 

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect information provided after initial publication by Cook County David Orr's office regarding the estimated cost to Cook County taxpayers to hold the February 2013 primary.