The Race Begins Anew January 21, 2009
Posted by The Underground Conservative in Racine.comments closed
The race to succeed Mayor McPervert, Gary Becker, in Racine has commenced, with one current and one former member of the Common Council entering the race.
Former alderman Pete Karas and Alderman Greg Helding filed campaign registration forms at City Hall on Tuesday, putting them on the candidate list for the 2011 mayoral election.
They can amend the forms, if necessary, to be on earlier ballots, depending on the procedure the City Council chooses to follow to replace Becker. The council could appoint someone to serve the remainder of Becker’s term, or choose to hold a special election. Former Mayor Gary Becker was paid $91,924.27 in salary and benefits, according to Human Resources Coordinator Julie Anastasio.
Helding and Karas bring the list of official mayoral candidates to three, as Racine resident Jody Harding filed campaign registration papers months ago.
Right now, no one has a leg up. Karas served five years representing the 9th District before resigning over an antiquated state law which has since been repealed. Helding represents the 11th District.
Karas said he would have run against Becker in 2007, when the mayor ran unopposed for re-election, but he was recovering from back surgery.
“I think the city needs new leadership,” he said. “I think that Gary’s actions cast a poor shadow on Racine.”
Karas, 49, is a lifelong Racine resident. He lives at 821 Blaine Ave., and served five years as alderman of the 9th District.
Helding, 36, said he made the decision to run for mayor Tuesday morning, after receiving calls from supporters and talking with his wife.
“I care about Racine and I’m concerned about our future,” he said. “The city is bigger than any one person. We all have to do things together. There are people doing things Uptown, Downtown, north side, south side. We all have to work together for the good of the city.”
What remains to be seen is whether there will be a special election to fill the remainder of Becker’s term, which doesn’t expire until 2011. We here urge the Common Council call for and schedule a special election rather than have an acting mayor for over two years.
If and when a special election is called, we intend on conducting Q & A’s with all candidates and allow them to express themselves in their own words.
We’ll have more on that when it comes to pass.
