UPDATED 8:45 a.m. | Things will be a little different Wednesday when McLean County’s political parties choose their leaders for the next two years.
Normally, the parties would gather in person to nominate and then select party leaders. Now, with a stay-at-home order in effect, voting will move online and, for McLean County Democrats, to a drive-up location in downtown Bloomington.
For the Democrats, there are two candidates to succeed Erik Rankin as chair: Nikita Richards and Susan O’Rourke, both of Bloomington. Richards ran unsuccessfully for McLean County clerk in 2018 and announced her candidacy for party chair in January. O’Rourke, who is also a Democratic precinct committee member, has a lower profile within the party.
Democratic precinct committee members wishing to vote can do so in two ways, said party communications chair Patrick Cortesi. They can cast their secret ballot Wednesday via drive-up dropoff at the party’s downtown headquarters, or they can email in their selection. The email method is obviously less anonymous, Cortesi said.
“We’re just trying our best to make sure everybody stays safe,” Cortesi said. “This is a necessary thing to do for our party.”
Rankin is not seeking a second term as chair. He’s running for McLean County circuit clerk in November against Republican incumbent Don Everhart.
The McLean County Republican Party is holding its convention Wednesday virtually, using Zoom, said party chair Connie Beard. She is running unopposed for re-election, with many returning and some new people vying for the executive board.
“I’m committed to seeing this through,” Beard said of the November election.
The Libertarian Party in McLean County is also choosing its next chair. Kevin Woodard is running unopposed. Current county chair Steve Suess is running unopposed for statewide party chair.
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