Meet Sam Cahnman, Ward 5 candidate for Springfield City Council

Sam Cahnman
Sam Cahnman

Editor's note: This is one of a series of articles previewing candidates vying in the April 4 consolidated election. Early voting is underway.

The name "Sam Cahnman" is a familiar one in Springfield politics. First elected to the Sangamon County Board in 2002, Cahnman has run for Congress, the Illinois General Assembly and the Springfield City Council over the course of nearly 30 years.

In November, Cahnman returned to the county board in District 18, but said the board he left behind 17 years ago is a different and tougher place than in the past.

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"On the county board, you're so outnumbered (as a Democrat)," Cahnman said. "I have some ideas – I'm planning to an ordinance for EMTs to wear body cameras – but I think it would have a lot more impact if I was able to get it passed in the city. You're one of 29 (members), there's eight Democrats on the board, so it's very difficult. When I was on the county board before (from 2002-06), I was able to get a few measures passed with bipartisan support, but on the city council, you're one of 10 (and) I think you're able to have a much more positive impact."

Cahnman is competing with incumbent Lakeisha Purchase and write-in Calvin Pitts for the Ward 5 seat that he represented from 2007-15. Cahnman lost in 2015 to Andrew Proctor, who was Purchase's immediate predecessor.

Sam Cahnman

Age: 68

Occupation: Sangamon County Board member, District 18; attorney

Family: Wife, Angel Sides; newborn daughter, Justice

Political experience: Former Ward 5 alderman, 2007-15; District 18 Sangamon County Board member, 2002-06, 2022-present

Education: Graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with degrees in journalism and political science in 1975; earned his law degree from UIUC in 1978

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Sam Cahnman is a candidate for Springfield City Council Ward 5