Neumann denied a place on ballot

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PRINCETON — The Bureau County Electoral Board voted Friday to uphold the objections filed against Jerry Neumann of Princeton to have his name placed on the November ballot for the position of Bureau County Circuit Clerk.

In August, Neumann was asked by the Republican Central Committee to fill the vacancy on the November ballot for the office of Bureau County Circuit Clerk. The vacancy was caused by the withdrawal in May of Jim Lilley of Wyanet as the Republican circuit clerk candidate.

On Sept. 6, State Rep. Frank Mautino, chairman of the Bureau County Democratic Party, filed an objection to Neumann’s candidacy, stating the necessary paperwork was not filled out correctly. Plus, Neumann chose a Democratic ballot in the last primary, Mautino said.

At Friday’s hearing, attorney Dan Tracy, representing Mautino, said the Supreme Court decided just this week, on Wednesday, that it would not hear a similar appellate court case for a DuPage County man who had voted in the February primary as a Republican but then wanted to run as a Democrat in November. The Supreme Court’s decision to not review the appellate court decision confirms candidates can’t switch political parties like that, Tracy said.

Neumann, who attended Friday’s hearing with Bureau County Republican Party Chairman Barry Welbers, said he entered the circuit clerk race and filed his candidacy papers in good faith and with noble intentions. He acknowledged some errors were made in his paperwork, which he regretted.

“If this goes against me, I will be disappointed,” Neumann said. “I think I have something to offer. l think Bureau County citizens should have a choice for this position. But obviously I have to go with the law.”

The denial of Neumann as a candidate on the November ballot means current Circuit Clerk Laurie Abrahams will run unopposed in the election.

Serving on the electoral board are Bureau County Clerk Kami Hieronymus, County Treasurer Nina Urbanowski and Sheriff John Thompson.