Republican-oriented COR Strategies founder Collin Corbett has decided to run for Governor as an Independent.
He has teamed up with Crystal Lake’s Carolyn Schofield, who will be his Lt. Governor running mate.
In order to make such a run legal, both candidates had to refrain from voting in this past spring’s Republican Primary Election.
The template for such an Independent run was laid down by Dee Beaubien. After her husband State Rep. Mark Beaubien died, a top aide, Kent Gaffney, was supported by Rep. Beaubien’s coalition.
Gaffney was defeated by David McSweeney,
Dee Beaubien apparently planned to run as an Independent, if Gaffney lost the primary.\, because she did not vote in the GOP primary.
David McSweeney defeated Gaffney.
Illinois state law says that one cannot run as an Independent, if one has voted in a party primary during the same election cycle.
The section is below:
FILING OR VOTING A PARTISAN OFFICE
A person who (i) filed a Statement of Candidacy for a partisan office as a qualified primary voter of an established political party or (ii) who voted the ballot of an established political party at a general primary election may not file a Statement of Candidacy as a candidate of a different established political party, a new political party, or as an Independent candidate for a partisan office to be filled at the general election immediately following the general primary for which the person filed the statement or voted the ballot.
A person may file a Statement of Candidacy for a partisan office as a qualified primary voter of an established political party regardless of any prior filing of candidacy for a partisan office or voting the ballot of an established political party at any prior election. (10 ILCS 5/7-43)
So, both Corbett and Schofield must have decided on their candidacies before the March primary.
The two obviously believe GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey has no chance of beating incumbent JB Pritzker.
And they count on their being enough independents and disaffected Republicans to carry him to victory.
Or, they may just trying to get 5% of the vote [see last paragraph of Corbett’s statement below], which would allow their party to gain ballot access as an Established Party without having to gather the 25,000 petition signatures necessary this year,
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UPDATE
I’m not interested in just pointing out problems. I want to solve those problems. So, yes, we are launching an Independent movement in Illinois, and as part of that, I am running for Governor as an Independent.
If you are interested in helping fix our politics and providing hope for everyday Illinoisans, contact me.
We will have a more formal campaign announcement once we file next month. Official statement below. #twill
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For too long, everyday people have been trapped in a political system that no longer works for them. The special interests get what they want while working families pay the price.
We are launching a mainstream Independent movement to change that and give everyday Illinoisans hope.
This movement isn’t about left or right, red or blue. It’s about right and wrong.
It’s not anti-anything.
It’s pro-Illinois.
We will provide solutions to the problems we face and make people’s lives better—actually standing for something instead of always saying no, blaming others, or hating “the other side.”
We are starting with an Independent campaign for Illinois Governor and Lieutenant Governor led by political strategist Collin Corbett and policy expert Carolyn Schofield.
They are everyday people, not millionaires or billionaires.
They care about the people of Illinois and have empathy for the challenges families face because they have lived the same challenges.
They have both shown the courage to stand up for what’s right, even against their own political party and even when it costs them personally and professionally.
This effort is bigger than one campaign. It’s the beginning of a long-term Independent movement in Illinois.
The mainstream is the majority, and we will organize that middle and make them the loudest voice in our politics.
The Independent movement is chaired by Lou Sandoval, Founder of HALO Advisory Group and former President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.
More than 100 mayors, elected officials, business owners, labor representatives, civic leaders, and policy experts are helping guide this effort, including Senior Advisor Donna Johnson, Mayor of Libertyville and President of the Northwest Municipal Conference, serving in her personal capacity.
