11-15-2008, 09:16 AM
No Republicans yet?? 
![[Image: WA15_WMAYOR_P2_scn_feed_20081114_21_44_1...ageContent]](http://media1.suburbanchicagonews.com/multimedia/WA15_WMAYOR_P2_scn_feed_20081114_21_44_15_130-242-164.imageContent)
Sabonjian considering run for mayor
Crowded field for Feb. 24 Dem primary
November 15, 2008
By JIM NEWTON <!-- e --><a href="mailto:jnewton@scn1.com">jnewton@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
Lake County Board member Robert Sabonjian has taken out nominating petitions and is considering a second run for mayor of Waukegan.
"I haven't made any decision yet," Sabonjian said, adding that he is testing the waters and taking an "informal tally" of family and friends on the issue.
"I don't want to enter into something I have no chance of winning," he said. "It's a giant step."
Sabonjian, a Democrat, was just re-elected to the County Board by a 76 percent margin against Republican challenger Michael Donnenwirth in the Nov. 4 general election. He said he is torn about the idea of potentially giving up his County Board seat if elected as mayor, but added that many of those who supported his County Board candidacy have urged him to consider a mayoral run.
Economic development will be the key issue in the mayoral campaign, Sabonjian said.
Sabonjian made an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2005 in a contest that saw the re-election of Mayor Richard Hyde.
If Sabonjian decides to run, he will join what is likely to be a large field of Democratic candidates in the Feb. 24 primary election. Incumbent Mayor Richard Hyde is seeking re-election, and 1st Ward Ald. Sam Cunningham has already announced that he is running for the city's top spot. Waukegan residents Jose Guzman and Chris Wakefield have also taken out nominating petitions for the office.
Cunningham also ran unsuccessfully against Hyde in 2005, and said at that time he would be on the 2009 ballot.
Cunningham said Friday that Hyde has good intentions, "but intentions and spirit are just not good enough."
"I think a lot of the things Mayor Hyde is trying to do are just not being realized," he said.
Cunningham said the city needs an economic development department, that the harbor revitalization project needs to be completed in a way that supports industry, and that the downtown needs more attention.
Hyde said he has helped initiate many projects that are moving forward, including commercial redevelopment and revitalization.
"We need to keep doing what we are doing as far as the redevelopment of the city," he said.
Hyde said the potential mayoral challengers are all "nice people," but none are qualified to step in as the city's leader.
"None of them can jump right in and say 'I can do it,'" he said.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1280816,5_1_WA15_WMAYOR_S1.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article</a><!-- m -->
Sabonjian considering run for mayor
Crowded field for Feb. 24 Dem primary
November 15, 2008
By JIM NEWTON <!-- e --><a href="mailto:jnewton@scn1.com">jnewton@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
Lake County Board member Robert Sabonjian has taken out nominating petitions and is considering a second run for mayor of Waukegan.
"I haven't made any decision yet," Sabonjian said, adding that he is testing the waters and taking an "informal tally" of family and friends on the issue.
"I don't want to enter into something I have no chance of winning," he said. "It's a giant step."
Sabonjian, a Democrat, was just re-elected to the County Board by a 76 percent margin against Republican challenger Michael Donnenwirth in the Nov. 4 general election. He said he is torn about the idea of potentially giving up his County Board seat if elected as mayor, but added that many of those who supported his County Board candidacy have urged him to consider a mayoral run.
Economic development will be the key issue in the mayoral campaign, Sabonjian said.
Sabonjian made an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2005 in a contest that saw the re-election of Mayor Richard Hyde.
If Sabonjian decides to run, he will join what is likely to be a large field of Democratic candidates in the Feb. 24 primary election. Incumbent Mayor Richard Hyde is seeking re-election, and 1st Ward Ald. Sam Cunningham has already announced that he is running for the city's top spot. Waukegan residents Jose Guzman and Chris Wakefield have also taken out nominating petitions for the office.
Cunningham also ran unsuccessfully against Hyde in 2005, and said at that time he would be on the 2009 ballot.
Cunningham said Friday that Hyde has good intentions, "but intentions and spirit are just not good enough."
"I think a lot of the things Mayor Hyde is trying to do are just not being realized," he said.
Cunningham said the city needs an economic development department, that the harbor revitalization project needs to be completed in a way that supports industry, and that the downtown needs more attention.
Hyde said he has helped initiate many projects that are moving forward, including commercial redevelopment and revitalization.
"We need to keep doing what we are doing as far as the redevelopment of the city," he said.
Hyde said the potential mayoral challengers are all "nice people," but none are qualified to step in as the city's leader.
"None of them can jump right in and say 'I can do it,'" he said.
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