Staff Writer
The Journal-Register
ALBION — Republicans swept the Albion village election Tuesday with all three incumbents reclaiming their seats.
Mayor Dean Theodorakos, who received 419 votes, defeated Tracy Jennings, with 97; and trustees Eileen Banker, with 406, and Kevin Sheehan, 406, defeated James Skaggs, 96, and Sandra Walter, 115.
“I feel great,” said Sheehan after hearing the results. “It was really hard work, and that’s how we’ll spend the next four years.”
Theodorakos echoed that response.
“I’m very happy,” he said. “It’s good to have it behind us. We spent a lot of time campaigning and going door-to-door. We got to meet a lot of people, but we’re eager to get to work. We ran a nice, clean campaign. It’s a great team and a great board.”
“I’m floored,” said Banker of the results. “I’m very excited and very anxious to get back to work. We’ve got a lot of vision in common.”
Banker said she was disappointed in the number of residents who showed up at the polls, but happy with the outcome. “You never know what’s going to happen,” she explained. “When we were out campaigning, we went to every house.”
Banker said she sees every voter as a constituent, regardless of political party.
Jennings expressed reservations.
“I hope they do what’s best for all the residents of the village, and not just the select few who seem to be catered to,” she said. “I’m proud of the campaign we ran; we were three newcomers and we ran a clean campaign.”
Jennings questioned the actions of her opponents during the campaign, saying they had signs on rental property, which she said isn’t fair because that only shows the support of the landlord. “Tenants can’t show their support,” she said.
“I tried. ... We deserved more than the votes we got,” Jennings said.
“We ran a good campaign,” repeated Walter. “It’s been a very eye-opening experience for me. It has inspired me to be even more involved. ... We won’t disappear.”
Jennings’ husband, Thom, wasn’t happy with the way some of the winners rejoiced after hearing the results. He stormed out of the village hall and later said they should have shown more humility, instead of relishing in the difference in votes.
“I thought they were low-class scumbags,” he said.
But Sheehan wouldn’t let that get him down.
“They should have run a better campaign,” he said.
The election totals include absentee ballots, and are unofficial, pending routine recanvassing.
Contact editor Holly Toal at 798-1400, ext. 8225.
