By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – Your dislike of President Biden’s performance in office is not a reason to disqualify him for being a candidate in the March 19 Illinois primary.
That’s how an Illinois State Board of Elections hearing officer summed up his reasoning for rejecting an objection fronted by Arthur Jones of Lyons.
Jones admitted he is objecting not to Biden’s nominating petitions, but to how he has executed the office of president – and his character. Here’s a sample of how the hourlong hearing went:
Hearing officer David Herman: “Let’s move on to your next argument.”
Jones: “… and plunge this country into depression, sir!”
Biden lawyer Kevin Morphew: “All of this is hearsay.”
Jones: “It’s not hearsay! It’s facts that’s going to take place if we allow this idiot to be on the ballot!”
Jones, not an attorney and new to the process, seemed flustered by Morphew’s objections, at one time interrupting him to call him “slick” and later saying he wanted to exercise his freedom of speech “without being objected by an attorney who is full of all kinds of legal tricks and objections.”
Herman let Biden’s candidacy stand.
At a separate hearing, a challenge to former President Donald Trump’s candidacy, featuring videos of Trump’s conduct on Jan. 6, 2021, was taken under advisement.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]
