A longtime Democratic Lowell town councilman could fill a vacancy on the ballot for a seat on the Lake County Council.
Lake County Democrats are poised to select Philip Kuiper to fill a vacancy on the ballot for the District 7 County Council seat. Democratic leaders will hold a caucus this weekend to review candidates to fill the vacancy and Kuiper was the only candidate to put his name in for the County Council seat.
Kuiper said South County is his home and his main priority, and he wants to use a seat on the County Council to help grow the area.
“Not only is Lowell important to me, but South County as well,” Kuiper said.
Kuiper was a three-term Lowell town councilman, representative to the Lake County Solid Waste District, active in the Democratic Party, and former state representative candidate. Kuiper said he’s also been active in a number of youth sports groups.
Kuiper said he’s always lived in Lowell and worked in the town for 34 years.
“I’m incredibly excited about his candidacy,” said Jim Wieser, chairman of the Lake County Democratic Central Committee.
While on the Town Council, Kuiper said he helped grow the community, creating redevelopment and TIF district to attract new businesses. Kuiper said the new businesses brought into Lowell included a medical center, nursing home and banquet facility.
“That’s what I think is important,” Kuiper said.
South County is already growing every day, Kuiper said, and will be an important part of Lake County’s success.
“He’s got great name recognition,” Wieser said. “He knows the operations of county government.”
Kuiper will face Republican Christian Jorgensen, of St. John, in the November election. Jorgensen is an attorney and member of the St. John Town Council.
Jorgensen beat incumbent District 7 Councilman Eldon Strong in the May primary by two votes. Strong asked for a recount but conceded the election after a day of reviewing ballots in June.
A Democrat hasn’t been elected to the District 7 County Council seat in more than 50 years, according to county records.
Wieser said District 7 does tend to favor Republicans but it’s not unwinnable.
“It’s certainly doable with the right Democratic candidate,” Wieser said. “Phil is the right candidate.”
The party isn’t looking to simply fill slots on the ballot, Wieser said, but find the best candidates for the right positions.
“We’re having the best candidates we could possibly get,” Wieser said.
