Two Republican candidates running for District 1 on the Knox County board have overcome challenges to their nominating petitions by "rehabilitating" one contested signature each, leaving them with enough valid signatures to remain on the March 2026 primary ballot.
At an electoral board hearing Friday afternoon at the Knox County courthouse, candidates Anthony Weiss and Tammy Weiss presented the Social Security card and marriage license of their daughter-in-law, who had signed both of their nominating petitions as Ashley Brewer.
That name did not match official voter records at the address listed, and it did not survive a previous binder check by the electoral board.
But on Friday, the Weisses argued their daughter-in-law was registered under Ashley Taylor, her name before getting married, and that the documents prove the signature was valid.
Following review of the documents and testimony from Brewer, the electoral board – composed of County Clerk Scott Erickson, Circuit Clerk Mary Ostrander, and State’s Attorney Ashley Worby – concurred, announcing that the signature had been “rehabilitated.”
James Greenwood, attorney for the objectors, questioned Brewer on why her handwriting was different on the petitions.
“I think this is so stupid and a waste of my time,” Brewer said. “A signature is a signature. I’ve proven who I am. That’s it.”
Ten signatures are required to be on the primary ballot for the District 1 seat. The Weisses each submitted 13. The objections also disputed a signature from someone who doesn’t live in the district, which was stricken.
“That’s the only person on this paperwork I don’t know. Everyone else is either family or close friends. Apparently that one is not valid, and I apologize for that error,” Anthony Weiss said.
Two other disputed signatures on the Weiss petitions may be rehabilitated as well. Those are from people who signed a Democratic candidate’s nominating petitions as well. Both testified at the hearing that they signed the Weisses’ petitions prior to signing Jaclyn Smith-Ester’s.
Worby said the electoral board will release a ruling on those two signatures once they have conducted more research. But with the Weisses’ daughter-in-law’s signature reinstated, the candidates already have enough signatures to be on the ballot.
Other objections
A total of five Knox County Republican candidates running in the March primary faced challenges to their nominating petitions.
The board previously removed treasurer candidate Janet Windish for having an incomplete statement of candidacy.
The remaining objections are against Erickson, who has served as clerk since 2004, and treasurer candidate Jerrie Ann Walters, who is looking to unseat Democrat Robin Davis.
Both of those objections were filed by Pam Davidson, a Knox County board member and chair of the Knox County Democrats. They both point to clusters of signatures that were written in the same handwriting.
A hearing on those objections is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Decisions of the electoral board are subject to judicial review in Knox County circuit court.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.
