Jeff should not block the appointment.
Carol is an active member in her community.
She is not a radical right wing wacko
She has been through the election process before.
She is reasonable.
She most likley will not be in a position to cause harm to Jeff or any other dem.

If Jeff blocks:
Jeff would be seen as an obstructionist.
Jeff would be seen as "politics as usual" which is not what he claims to be.

Jeff is in a position where he may gain some favor in 16 (not that he needs it).

Surely Jeff would not be so petty as to block Carol's appointment. Carol Wilson is one of the most well qualified, well respected and well liked Republicans in this city. When she was appointed to the election board in 2002, not one person (of either party)came forward with any kind of objections. Blocking this appointment would not only be petty but would show that Jeff does not have the interests of the city or his district at heart but is on his own personal agenda.
The election board needs someone like Carol at its helm.

What if he just remains silent on the issue, rather than give her an endorsement?

Why should a democrat be required to make an official endorsement of a republican?

For clarification (for us non-wonks)...is this a position to run the whole operation, or merely the republican side of the office?

Does the office have in effect two directors, one democrat and one republican?

When Carol Wilson was a candidate, she tried two dirty tricks on the voters of the 16th ward. Her campaign generated two letters, which indicated she was being endorsed by her church and her neighborhood organization. She has no scruples. Surely the republicans should be able to find a more qualified candidate. Jack Jackson will never forgive her for meddling in the democratic primary instead of being a good republican. Blunt and Ed Martin are testing the freshman senator and he should hold out for a better candidate.
Carol is an incredibly divisive force in her neighborhood organization and is the main reason more people do not participate in it.

If Carol Wilson is not a right-wing wacko, I don't know who is. She ran for the school board as a candidate of the white citizens council. No one would benefit from this woman being on the election board. Blunt should be ashamed.

After further review: During Carol's previous term on the Board, she worked well with the local Dem's including Shona Clements.

As for those nabe letters- The leaders of those organizations volunteered to do this. And guess what- Those same leaders now have a wonderful working relationship with the current Alderman in the 16th.

The Election Board should be about providing better election processes; Having been a judge, and being a card carrying democrat, who knows Carol- I hope Jeff Smith will give her a pass and let this appointment stand. Having an efficient election board will help us all.

We at the Board of Elections have made great strides this past year; this election authority went from the worst to one of the best in the state.

I fully support Carol Wilson as Chair of the Election Board, and so do the employees and all three commissioners here at the board. I hope Jeff Smith will do the right thing and support Carol Wilson for the good of the election board and our great city.

Republican Director of the City Election Board
Scott Leiendecker