Bill Gentes Reacts to Loss with Humor

Here's the good-natured, after midnight reaction of Bill Gentes, who lost the 26th state senate district race to Dan Duffy:

Ouch!

As you may or may not heard, I lost the election last night quite soundly! I ended up with 39% of the vote, which was surprising however its nearly the exact same result as 4 years ago when this seat was last contested so maybe I should not be that surprised.

I was gratified to see that I carried the Round Lake area precincts quite handily with roughly 57% of the vote, so it does take away some of the sting, that the people who know me best, thought that much of me!

Over the months on this campaign I have met and befriended so many wonderful people who have supported me and been there for me when I needed it, that I am truly richer for the experience!

Thanks to all of you!

Bill

This was a major loss for the pro-abortion Personal PAC, against whom winner Dan Duffy promises legal action.

Posted first on McHenry County Blog, where you can read about the two new Democrats elected to the McHenry County Board, Paula Yensen and Kathy Bergan Schmidt.

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More on Gentes-Duffy State Senate Race

In the furiously fought 26th state senate race to replace Bill Peterson, Republican Dan Duffy has reported receiving an additional $8,117.

Considering the bad publicity in both the Daily Herald and the Northwest Herald that his opponent Round Lake Mayor Bill Gentes has gotten for not telling the truth about having been let go by the Realtor Association of NorthWest Chicagoland, seeing $5,000 from the Illinois Association of Realtors go to his opponent must have galled Gentes.

Gentes did write a letter of apology.

In addition, Chris Reyes of Rosemont donated $2,500 and the Health Care Council of Illinois Politic paid Joe Cook of Wauconda $717 for consulting services and mileage.

The story with Bill Gentes' big eyes comes from Round Lake Area School Board member Guy Finley's blog, Stay the Course. Finley had a different "big eyes"-illustrated story yesterday.

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Cullterton and Clayborne Contribute to Gentes

Bill Gentes must be smiling today.

In fact, he may still be dancing the Snoopy happy dance.

Late yesterday afternoon, he reported receiving $75,000.

$50,000 came from The Senate Democratic Victory Fund, run by Chicago State Senator John Cullerton. Cullerton, generally considered an ally of House Speaker Mike Madigan on whose leadership team he used to serve, hopes to succeed retiring Senate President Emil Jones. Cullerton's PAC's web site announces an October 2nd fund raiser with sponsorships going to $5,000.

James Clayborne, of St. Clair County, another of the state senators who hopes to replace Emil Jones as Senate President, transferred $25,000 from his campaign fund.

It is intriguing that both would contribute to Gentes, considering, if elected, he can only vote for one person for Senate President.

Gentes is running against Dan Duffy, who cut his political teeth with the NFIB. Duffy's $500+ contributions can be found here.

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Sine Die

Those who read McHenry County Blog know that I love license plates with messages.

This is former State Senator Jack Schaffer's license plate.

It refers to what the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House say when they adjourn a session for good.

It comes from the Latin

Sine Die

It means, “The final adjournment of a legislative session, without adjourning to a specific time or date,” according to The 'Lectric Law Library.

Jack left off the “e” for some reason. Maybe it wouldn't fit.

The night I took this photo, he spoke to the Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee at the Cary Country Club.

You will note that he has a John McCain for President bumper sticker, as well as a Dan Duffy for State Senator bumper sticker.

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