SHOREWOOD, IL — Monday, Illinois House 97th District candidate Thomas McCullagh called on his GOP 2022 primary opponent Michelle Smith to withdraw after McCullagh filed a petition challenge detailing what he says is "evidence of fraud in the collection and certifications of signatures."
McCullagh filed a petition challenge with the Illinois State Board of Elections on GOP primary opponent Michelle Smith’s candidacy packets. McCullagh alleges false swearing on Smith's petitions and a pattern and practice of fraud while circulators collected signatures for the 2022 GOP primary ballot.
“I, my campaign manager (Camielle Holcombe), alongside 20 other campaigns and their volunteers, went door-to-door together collecting valid and authentic signatures. We worked hard for hours each day in 20 degree weather to get the job done," McCullagh said in the statement. "It’s disappointing when a candidate, regardless of political party, arrogantly degrades our Republic by submitting fraudulent signatures. She needs to withdraw.”
McCullagh says his exploration uncovered circulators, including GOP candidate Michelle Smith, that allegedly coached and/or allowed signers to fraudulently sign for other members of their households – a violation of Illinois election law.
Smith also called into question Smith allegedly signing her name as the circulator on petition sheets she may not have circulated – a violation of Illinois election law.
McCullagh's statement went on to point fingers at higher-up Illinois Republicans that are backing Smith in the GOP primary.
"Smith is an elected township clerk in Plainfield, IL and is also a deputy committeewoman for the Illinois State Republican Central Committee," the statement said. "She is supported by current state representatives Mark Batinick and Tim Ozinga, who have each donated to her campaign. House Republican Majority political action group led by Jim Durkin and his political director, Jayme Odom, assisted in the preparation and filing of Smith's petitions."
McCullagh's campaign provided samples of questionable signatures to Illinois Review that were included on petitions that indicate Michelle Smith circulated them. Duplicate signatures on some sheets appear to be nearly identical except for first names, and are allegedly from two different persons in the same household, for example. If those signatures or petitions were to be disqualified by the Illinois State Board of Elections, the number of remaining valid signatures could endanger Smith's candidacy if the number fell below the required minimum.
To be continued …
