Bloomington Election Commissioner Diana Hauman has resigned in the face of a complaint about social media posts she made in May, rather than face a court fight over her status as a commissioner.
A news release from the McLean County Republican Party said a petition with more than 50 voter signatures alleged Hauman violated a legal requirement of “approved integrity and capacity” for commissioners. A copy of the petition included signatures from some former county GOP leaders. The news release asserted Hauman undermined the three-member Board of Election Commissioners’ mission of administering fair elections free from partisan interference.
Hauman told WGLT the complaints were “unfounded,” but she did not wish to incur legal costs to contest the petition. She said she also did not want to distract commission staff as the fall election approaches.
“[To be] Perfectly blunt: The Republicans are mad that there's two Democrats. First time in 112 years that there have been two Democrats and one Republican as commissioners,” said Hauman. “I feel like with two Democrats, it was really looking more like our community, which is moving in that direction.”
She said there is nothing in the description of the duties of a commissioner that says they cannot be overtly affiliated with a political party.
“In fact, it says that [members] … be persons of well-known political convictions and of approved integrity and capacity,” said Hauman.
State law requires the three-member commission overseeing the election to have more than one party represented.
The GOP said Hauman endorsed Democratic candidates in two contested McLean County Board races: Corey Beirne in District 10 and Jennifer Brown in District 9.
Hauman acknowledged offering support to Brown and said she lives in Beirne's district.
“I wasn't out canvassing for a political candidate. I didn't feel like I was being unduly influential in supporting a Democratic candidate,” said Hauman.
The GOP's news release also criticized Hauman for posting what it called “violent political rhetoric aimed at President Donald Trump.”
Hauman said the repost from an account called Nuns on the Bus was satirical in tone.
“Trump wants to be buried in Arlington Cemetery. I, for one, wholeheartedly support this. How does Friday sound?” said the post.
“To the hateful words of Commissioner Hauman, we say 'Not In Our Town,'" said the GOP news release.
Hauman acknowledged the post was “probably questionable” for a commissioner but does not rise to the level of hate speech.
“The voters who signed this complaint acted decisively to protect the integrity of local elections and stood firmly against the growing threat from radical far-left liberals who believe violence can be warranted in order to achieve political goals,” said McLean County Republican Party Chair Connie Beard.
Hauman, a former Bloomington City Council member, said she has rarely voted a straight ticket, and her voting record shows she has pulled Republican ballots in some past primaries.
“If I could say anything to them, it would be to take a look in the mirror and see what is reflected. I see posts every day on Facebook that are demeaning to anyone who does not believe what they believe,” said Hauman.
Hauman’s tenure on the panel was brief. Hauman had applied for a vacant commission position in January. She said she cited a long involvement with the League of Women Voters and as an election monitor as relevant experience. She and other applicants were interviewed by Judge Rebecca Foley and Judge Bill Yoder. Foley oversees commission appointments. Hauman said she was named to the position in March.
The process to fill the vacancy created by Hauman’s resignation includes soliciting applications from people willing to serve and interview.
