In familiar territory, Sam Cahnman defeats incumbent Rose Ruzic in county board race
Sam Cahnman defeated fellow Democrat Rose Ruzic in the only contested primary race for Sangamon County Board on Tuesday.
For now, there is no Republican opponent for the Nov. 8 general election in the 18th District, which covers the northeastern part of the city.
Related:Fowl is fair? Village of Loami residents consider advisory referendum on chickens
All 29 board positions were up for election because of redistricting based on the 2020 U.S. Census.
Cahnman had 172 votes to Ruzic's 141 votes, or 55% to 45% in the primary.
Voters in Loami gave the thumbs up to an advisory referendum allowing chicken coops within village limits. The vote was 61% to 39%.
In New Berlin, a measure to issue $23.5 million in school building bonds for the district won 74% to 26%.
Clearlake voters overwhelming voted to dissolve the village, with just two of the 38 voters voting against it.
Cahnman, an attorney, was the last candidate to file. He beat Republican incumbent Bradley Jones in 2002 to win a seat on the county board.
Cahnman served two terms as Ward 5 alderman but lost a reelection bid to Andrew Proctor in 2015 and lost in 2019 to Proctor again. Current Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase was also in that race.
Cahnman has also ran for the U.S. House, Illinois Senate and Illinois House.
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Cahnman said the familiarity with the area included in the newly drawn district spurred him to run.
"I got a great response when I knocked on doors," Cahnman said. "Half the time, I didn't have to introduce myself. They knew who I was. I had help from a lot of volunteers. I had a fantastic reception to signs in (people's) yards."
During the campaign, Cahnman stumped having the county board televise its regular meetings and committee meetings.
His support for a more humane animal control center also struck a nerve with voters.
"There have been so many problems over there," Cahnman said. "I think some steps have been made to improve things with the firing of (longtime director Greg Largent in May), but more steps need to be taken to bring that animal shelter up to speed."
Whether he has an opponent in November is up to the Republicans," Cahnman said. "It's a pretty Democratic district."
Ruzic formerly worked for the Springfield Township Road District was appointed to the board in 2011, filling out the 19th District term of Doris Turner, who was elected to the Springfield City Council. Turner is now a state senator representing the 48th district.
Ruzic was reelected in 2012 from the 18th District because of redistricting.
Chickens in Loami
Loami voters overwhelmingly approved a non-binding referendum to allow chicken coops in the village limits.
Loami Mayor Al Mann said it was put before the voters after the village board discovered that a codification of the ordinances allowed people to have chickens.
"We missed it. All of a sudden, it's back in there. When it showed up, it freaked everybody out," Mann said.
The village board wanted to make sure people who maintained chickens kept them inside, Mann said. That is why referendum specifically referred to "chicken coops."
"We don't want chickens running all over town," Mann added.
He said the village board will further iron out language to address the matter.
Mike Holloway, who has about 20 chickens in Loami, said he has never had any complaints about the birds. He has had chickens since 1977 and told The State Journal-Register earlier that he intended to vote for the referendum.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Democrat Sam Cahnman wins contested Sangamon County board race
