2 Write-Ins Enter Village Board Race; Did Candidate's Facebook Post Prompt Them?

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — An offhand Facebook posting of an internet meme mocking the recent Women's March by a Village Board candidate has brought some unexpected competition to the originally uncontested race.

Two write-in candidates — Richard Baldino and Mark Walker — have thrown their hats into the ring, filing just under the Thursday's deadline to contend for one of the four open seats on the Arlington Heights Village Board, the Daily Herald reports. And at least one of those write-in candidates — Baldino — is running as response to the recent controversial post by Dr. Joe Favia, one of four previously unopposed candidates.

On his brother's Facebook page, Favia shared a photo of last month's Women's March with caption: "In one day, Trump got more fat women out walking, than Michelle Obama did in 8 years." Favia also added his own comment: "Hilarious!!!"

Although Favia said he had no malicious intent when it comes to posting what he described was a personal joke between brothers, other residents weren't as forgiving, claiming the post disrespected women and was an example of fat shaming. In fact, a group of voters plan to attend Monday's Village Board meeting to ask that Favia drop out of the race, something he says he won't do.

RELATED: Did Village Trustee Candidate's Facebook Post Mocking Women's March Cross the Line?

Count Baldino as one of those voters disturbed by what the dentist's online sharing represents.

"I have real concerns about the political climate today and the fact that politicians feel like they can say whatever they want, even if it shows a real lack of respect to people," Baldino told the Arlington Heights Post.

Even before voters decide at the ballot whether Favia's actions crossed the line for an elected official, Mayor Tom Hayes told the Post he will address the issue before Monday's board meeting. Hayes, who is uncontested in his re-election bid in April, said he was "very troubled and upset" by Favia's post, which he found "inappropriate and offensive."

"I'm trying very hard to keep politics out of the Arlington Heights Village Board," he told the Post.

WHAT DID YOU THINK? Patch asked readers in an unofficial poll if Dr. Joe Favia should drop out of the village trustee race because of what he posted on Facebook. Here's what people had to say:

• Yes. What he posted crossed the line: 51 percent
• Yes. Not because of the post's content, but because it shows poor judgment for a potential elected official: 37 percent
• No. This is a tempest in a teapot: 11 percent
• Undecided: 1 percent

As of Friday night, 845 people had participated in the poll.

More via the Daily Herald and the Arlington Heights Post

photo via Shutterstock

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