92nd district state representative candidate Allen Mayer is now fielding questions about a blemish in his past. That, just a week after his opponent, Jehan Gordon, came forward about a criminal offense she committed eight years ago. In our online poll last week, we asked how a candidate's background affects your vote at the polls. 43 percent say it depends on the previous charge or problem. The 92nd seat race and the candidates personal issues brought to light are making for a heated race in one of the only contested democratic races in Central Illinois.

"I was in violation of office policy," says Mayer.

That violation came four years ago when Mayer was working for Comptroller Dan Hynes. Hynes was running for U.S. Senate at the time against Barack Obama and Blair Hull. In February of 2004, Mayer used his work computer to forward a political news article about Hynes' opponent Hull. What was it about?

"I think it was about the Senate race at that time," Mayer said. "It's not important."

But it was important enough at the time to forward to friends, which got Mayer suspended from work for 2 weeks without pay. He would not elaborate about the article, but the State Journal Register sent us a copy of the column, which outlined Blair Hull's troubled marriage and campaign finances.

A spokesperson for the Comptroller says it is against policy to use e-mail to engage in any fundraising activity, endorse any product or service, or to participate in any lobbying activity for any political purpose.

Was Mayer trying to campaign for his boss?

"No, that's why it was thoroughly reviewed," Mayer said. "I think it's unfortunate that the campaign is taking this turn."

But that turn is just the latest battle for Central Illinois Democrats.
Personal issues have dominated the Mayer- Gordon race in the 92nd. And Democrats still do not have a candidate to run against the 18th congressional Republican nominee.

In August there was a rally for Judge Richard Grawey's run, but he dropped out the next month and former Bradley Basketball Coach Dick Versace later dropped out as well. Now, the party is still trying to finalize a candidate.

"The candidate does lose time because they haven't been able to campaign," said Peoria County Democratic Party Chairperson Billy Halsted. "The two names that have been surfaced are Rick Grawey and Collen Callahan and it looks like they're the frontrunners."

The official nomination could come as early as March 6th. In the meantime, primary candidates are working to move forward from past mistakes to take a future seat in office.

Comptroller Dan Hynes says he believes Mayer took responsibility for his mistake and was disciplined appropriately.
For a full look at the newspaper article Mayer forwarded that led to a suspension, click on the articles under "related content."