Dave Tomlinson is circulating petitions for a run against Shane Cultra in the 105th District. Cultra is from Onarga in Iroquois County and to my recollection has never had either a general election or primary opponent. Ought to be interesting to hear Tomlinson's reasons behind this. Cultra has been a reliably conservative vote over the years. Here are the vote totals from the 2006 primary, giving you an idea of where the votes come from. Of course, these totals can often be distorted in primary elections based on local races.
EDIT: Oops. Forgot to credit Kate Clements of the News-Gazette for this story.
CHAMPAIGN
3695
FORD
2263
IROQUOIS
4255
LIVINGSTON
1842
McLEAN
615
VERMILION
515
Totals
13185
In my book Tomlinson can't have a good reason for this. This will only alienate the base for any run he tries in the future.
It would be better if Dave leads Unit 4 out of the current bad situation prior to going fully political.
I'm sure he got permission to run from party leaders, just like it was suggested in a previous thread.
I think WDWS had the story yesterday morning. But I don't know why Tomlinson would run, he doesn't have nearly enough experience.
I'm sure he got permission to run from party leaders, just like it was suggested in a previous thread.
Yeah right, just like Rex Bradfield did for the 2006 race.
Are there any reasons as to why he is giving Shane a primary? I do not think that Shane Cultra will have any problems. If he is not having problems with his constituents, I do not see the need for a primary.
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Robert Dunn
Ex-Leftist, Born-Again Conservative American
Cultra is my a non-entity in Champaign County, other than the campaign flyer disguised as a survey I got from him on Friday. I have felt like I didn't have a representative in Springfield. He has no office here; he never shows up. I don't know Tomlinson, but assuming he doesn't have crazy positions, I'm all for him.
"But I don't know why Tomlinson would run, he doesn't have nearly enough experience."
Given way our current elected politicians are acting, Dave's lack of experience probably gives him lots of credit in most voters' minds.
This is different. There was talk of a primary challenge to Cultra last time. Republicans cannot take out Democrats, so the next best thing is to go after one of their own in a safe seat. Hooray!
Where can we donate to Cultra?
Where can we donate to Cultra?
This is exactly my point. Now we have to waste money fighting unnecessary primary battles instead of expending it to defeat Dems. What a stupid waste. Thanks Mr. Tomlinson.
The mailing on Friday was the first time that I have heard from Shane Cultra in the six years I have lived in his dsitrict - in constrast to Dan Rutherford who contacts me on a regular basis -
compared to Chapin Rose or Bill Black - Mr. Cultra is a rather invisible part of the political process - and our district deserves better
So is this going to be Mr. Tomlinson's strategy--to post or have his proxy post anonymous baseless attacks on Cultra? Sad.
Archie,
IF I am going to post on IP it will be with my user name NOT anonymously. I will be making a formal announcement including the "why" question on September 6th. Also, I would hope that IP brings discussion about issues not "baseless attacks."
Thanks
Dave Tomlinson
Where and what time will that announcement be or is it a paper announcement?
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j
Part-Time Pundit
The comments about Shane Cultra are not baseless. (And I do not know Dave Tomlinson.) I have also not heard a thing from him until this recent mailing. And I tried to contact him a couple of years ago. I sent an e-mail and left a phone message and sent a letter about an issue that really concerned me. The first time I have ever tried to contact my representative. I got not reply at all. Then I sent the same info to Naomi Jakobsen and Rick Winkel, neither of whom actually represent my part of Champaign, and both responded almost immediately. Mr. Cultra obviously does not care a thing about those of us in Champaign who were added to his district in the last carving up of the state.
His service on the school board is adequate experience. He is also is or once served in the Champaign Fire department. He is as, or more qualified, than Tom Berns was.
Shane certainly cares about Champaign County and even had an office in Savoy. Those who said they tried to contact him and were unsuccessful surely didn't try very hard. The Republican party is having enough troubles without this backbiting within the party. I am not saying an opponent is not healthy and will keep Shane on his toes but to say he is not doing a great job representing his district with the strong ideas and morals of a Republican is dead wrong. Mr. Cultra has a pretty large district and drives to and from Springfield every day. He certainly doesn't get as much "face time" as Rose no doubt but c'mon there is NO WAY that Tomlinson gives a hoot about anyone BUT Champaign. Iroquois County is the deciding county and Cultra owns this, Ford, and LIvingston. Tomlinson's only going to put a fire under Cultra and is not even close to being better than him. It's a positive that he is running but would stupid for the party to support him or in any way to attack Shane. Then again there is a reason the Dems are winning office. They get behind one person and push them to the front while we attack each other and divide. I hope this doesn't turn out the same.