Write-In Senate Candidate

We've tried to put together candidate information for candidates people around the county might see on their ballot on our Candidate Information post. But there's one race that might be on your ballot that could be very easily missed... a write in Democratic State Senate candidate, Benjamin Chapman. From the News-Gazette a while back:

UI student seeking write-in votes to challenge Rose for Senate seat
A 20-year-old University of Illinois nutrition student will be going head to head against state Sen. Chapin Rose for the 51st Illinois Senate seat in November.

That is, if he can get at least 1,000 supporters to write him in for the March Democratic primary.

"That's as I understand it," said Ben Chapman, who explained there's a way for him to get on the ballot even without the write-in votes. The Democratic parties of Champaign, Piatt, Dewitt, Macon, Douglas and Shelby counties could also nominate him as their candidate.

In that event, he would still need to gather 1,000 petition signatures by June, according to Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten...

If you're in the 51st (maps below or voter information lookup/sample ballots) and pull a Democratic ballot you'll see a space like this on your ballot:

Benjamin Chapman would like you to write in his name. But who is he and who would he be running against?

The 51st is currently represented by Republican Chapin Rose who is unopposed in the Republican primary. If Chapman makes it on to the general election ballot it would likely be a head to head race between those two.

More information links on the candidates:

Champaign County Voters Alliance Candidate Guide race information.

D - Benjamin Chapman:
Facebook campaign page.
Campaign website.
More contact options.

R - Chapin Rose:
Main website.
Office Contact Information.


Map Links:

The Illinois Senate 51st District is also the House 101st and 102nd combined (countywide map, in-town map):