WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderRepublicans want their candidate to step down

Republicans want their candidate to step down

By Samantha Ptashkin

MACHESNEY PARK (WREX)- Some Winnebago County Republicans want Republican Joe Terrell out of the running for Machesney Park Village President. In April Terrell is supposed to face-off against Democrat Tom Strickland.

It's a new twist in a race that's been very interesting. Tuesday Strickland upset incumbent Linda Vaughn. Now Republicans say Terrell isn't ready to be village president. Winnebago County Republican Chair Jan Klaas says back in November when Terrell told her about his plan to run for village president, she immediately advised against it. "He doesn't have experience. I said it would be better for him to run for village trustee first and get experience."

Since Linda Vaughn lost in the primary, Republicans have called Klaas, saying Terrell should step down. But Terrell says it's only a small group of Republicans against him and he won't give up.  "I have the Republican nomination and I am ready and willing to do what is necessary to move Machesney Park into a bright and positive future," Terrell said.

Klaas says it's not just experience that's missing from Terrell's candidacy. "To run a campaign you have to have volunteers, you have to have financial support," Klaas said.

Winnebago County Democrats say Republicans have brought party politics in to the race, but that might be an advantage for Strickland in April. "I think Strickland is right on message and when he gets that message out to voters he'll convince them he's the best person to be Village President of Machesney Park, but it helps when Republicans appear to be at odds with themselves," said Winnebago County Democrat Chair Dan Lewandowski.

Klaas says the reason why Republicans didn't put forth another candidate sooner is because they decided to go for different positions, since they thought Vaughn would win.