One of McLean County’s longest-serving elected officials is seeking a return to public office for one of the shortest stints possible.
Former McLean County Board member Paul Segobiano and political newcomer Lea Cline have applied to fill the remaining six weeks of Democrat Carlo Robustelli’s term on county board in District 8 that covers much of Bloomington’s west side.
By statute, the county must appoint a replacement from the same party as the board member who left.
Segobiano served 46 years on the board before he lost in the 2018 Democratic primary to Shayna Watchinski, who is in her first term.
Cline is running for the District 8seat in the Nov. 3 election against Republican Jordan Baker.
Robustelli announced in September he was leaving the board before his term expires because of a new job in Pennsylvania.
The McLean County Board’s Executive Committee is scheduled to interview the candidates at its Oct. 13 meeting.
Board Chairman John McIntyre said he plans to submit a nomination for the full board to consider at its Oct. 20 meeting.
Last month, McIntyre said he didn't intend to nominate someone who is running for the seat, considering it an unfair advantage so close to an election.
While the appointment would only last for six weeks, the appointee would have a vote on the county's 2021 annual budget in November.
The District 8 seat is one of eight contested county board racesin November. New board members will be sworn into office in early December.
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