New Lenox Mayor Baldermann drops out of race for state House seat

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann announced Friday he is ending his campaign for a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Baldermann said in a news release he decided to “opt out” of the Republican primary race to focus on his duties as a mayor and as the superintendent of Union School District 81 in Joliet.

Republican leadership spoke with Baldermann and his opponent, Tim Ozinga, a Mokena businessman, out of concern that an “expensive and exhaustive” primary could leave the nominee vulnerable to the “Illinois Democratic machine in the general election,” according to the release.

The two men were competing for an open seat in the 37th District after state Rep. Margo McDermed, R-Mokena, announced she wouldn’t seek reelection.

“Although I’m profoundly disappointed in the political climate nowadays, I am a realist,” Baldermann said.

“Until there is systemic change in our election process, campaigns will continue to be too expensive, negative and polarizing.”

Baldermann said he would return his campaign donations. He also signaled support for Ozinga in the race and lauded his ability to keep the district in Republican hands.

“Mayor Baldermann proved again that he is a true public servant,” Ozinga said. “His experience and insight will prove invaluable to our campaign.”

Ozinga is expected to face Democrat Michelle Fadeley of Joliet in the general election next year.