Primary elections: high stakes and hot spots

The March 15 Illinois primary will begin a season of intense campaigning in some legislative districts, particularly for state Republicans who need to gain two state Senate seats by 1990 to have a greater say in redrawing district maps. This year's elections are also flavored by a prominent former Chicago Democrat running as a Republican in Cook County and by a pair of favorite sons running for president. Their presence on the ballot could boost turnout and affect election races statewide.

Yet of the 157 seats to be filled in the General Assembly this year, 127 incumbents are unopposed in the primary and 58 currently face no opponent in the November general election. On the House side, 112 of the 118 representatives are seeking another term, but 45 Democrats and 43 Republicans face no opponent in the primary. Of those, 23 Democrats and 15 Republicans currently face no opposition in the general election. On the Senate side there is even less primary election activity. None of the 39 senators up for reelection face a primary opponent, and only 19 have a general election challenger.

Ten primary races appear to pose serious threats to incumbent lawmakers. Rep. Monique D. Davis (D-36, Chicago) faces six challengers, including Peggy A. Montes who has the support of Sen. Howard B. Brookins (D-18, Chicago) and Chicago Mayor Eugene Sawyer. Another close Democratic contest is a challenge to incumbent Rep. Louis I. Lang (D-1. Chicago), who was appointed in July to Alan J. Greiman's seat. Five opponents are challenging Rep. Douglas Huff Jr. (D-18, Chicago)" who was indicted in October on charges of extortion and conspiracy to avoid income tax payments.

Reps. William B. Shaw (D-34, Chicago) with three challengers and LeRoy Van Duyne (D-83, Joliet) with two also face tight races. Reps. Ted E. Leverenz (D-51, Maywood) and Calvin R. Sutker (D-56, Skokie) each face a single challenger in possibly close races.

Although six Republican incumbents face primary opposition, three races are likely to provide serious challenges. Reps. Ralph H. Barger (R 39, Wheaton), DeLoris Doederlein (R-65, East Dundee) and James M. Kirkland (R-66, Elgin) all face strong opponents.

Four races in which no incumbent is running will have fierce primary battles. In the 9th House District Democrats Miguel A. Santiago and Midgalio Collazo will square off to fill Joseph Berrios' seat. The winner of that contest should easily coast to victory in November. No Republican has filed in that historically Democratic district. The situation is the same in the 25th district where a three-way contest is underway to fill Carol Moseley Braun's seat.

Republicans, on the other hand, have two districts without incumbents running and neither is a completely "safe" GOP district. Republican Reps. Fred J. Tuerk of the 93rd district and Kent Slater of the 95th, are not running, and Republicans hope to retain both seats. A general election showdown is certain for both. In the 93rd district two Republicans are vying for the right to face the lone Democrat in November, while in the 95th district three Republicans are seeking the nomination against another lone Democrat.

Primary elections are being taken seriously on both sides of the aisle. "Nowadays in politics you have to take any challenge seriously," said Gary J. LaPaille, chief of staff for House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-30, Chicago). "For the majority we're going with a full-blown campaign." House Democratic policy is to provide organizational and financial assistance to incumbents who request support, LaPaille said. But House Republicans do not get involved in primary races, said Rick Larison, chief of staff for House Minority Leader Lee A. Daniels (R-46, Elmhurst). Larison said moral support is all Republican House incumbents can expect in a primary battle.

The primary will lead into a battle between the parties in November's elections. Both major parties will fight for control of the state Senate again this year. The 1988 elections start the battle of reapportionment, since all senators elected this year will serve until 1992, thereby taking part in redrawing the congressional and legislative districts following the 1990 census. Republicans hope to win the two seats necessary to give them control of the Senate, preventing Democrats from drawing the maps. Hopes are high since Republicans generally do better in presidential election years, said Debra Detmers, assistant to Senate Republican Chief of Staff Carter Hendren. Republicans are also expecting increased Republican votes in Chicago because Edward R. Vrdolyak, the former Cook County Democratic party chairman, is running as a Republican for county office.

But Senate Democrats do not see a serious threat of Republicans gaining control of the Senate. "1986 was their year and they didn't do it." said Bill Houlihan of the Senate Democratic legislative services staff. "I think in 1988, with Ronald Reagan not on the ticket and some good Democratic candidates, we have a good chance at picking up a few seats."

The main fight for the Senate will be in November rather than March. Democrats promise strong campaigns to win back two Chicago Senate seats currently held by Republicans Robert Raica (R-24, Chicago) and Walter Dudycz (R-7, Chicago). Republicans hope to regain the seat lost in 1986 to Sen. Penny Severns (D-51, Decatur).

In the judicial races, four Democrats are seeking their party's nomination for the Supreme Court seat vacated last fall by Joseph H. Goldenhersh. After Democratic voters in the 5th Judicial District choose one of them, the winner will face the lone Republican aspirant in the general election. The winner of that contest will serve a 10-year term and then face only retention elections. Since Justice Seymour Simon resigned after the filing deadline for this year's primary election, the Supreme Court will appoint a replacement to complete Simon's term, which ends in time for the 1990 election.

In Illinois congressional races, there is more election activity. While all but two of Illinois' 22 U.S. representatives will seek reelection, no seat will be uncontested in the general election. Competition is high to fill the seats of retiring U.S. Reps. Melvin Price (D-21, Belleville) and Kenneth J. Gray (D-22, West Frankfort). Both seats are in highly Democratic areas, so the winners of the Democratic primaries should easily coast to victory in November.

With Illinois likely to be a key state in the presidential primary, results here may lead to interesting developments. If U.S. Sen. Paul Simon is elected president — or vice president, Gov. James R. Thompson will appoint someone to fill the remaining two years of Simon's term. If Vice President George Bush is the victor, Thompson may have a future in Washington DC. And, if either Paul Simon or Jesse Jackson wins the Democratic nomination, their coattails may crush Republican hopes of winning control of the state Senate.         Brett D. Johnson

March 1988 | Illinois Issues | 33