Incumbent state Rep. Camille Lilly will face one opponent in next spring’s Democratic Primary and possibly a Republican challenger in the general election if she’s victorious in March.
Lilly, who represents the 78th District, which includes Austin, filed her nomination papers on Nov. 28. Also filing that day was Michael Nardello, who’ll challenge her in next March’s primary. Nardello works for the city of Chicago as director of finance and administration in the Department of Aging/Family Support Services.
Meanwhile, Ralph Vara, a Republican from Oak Park, filed on Dec. 5, but his nomination is “pending due to an objection,” according to the State Board of Elections website.
Lilly is seeking her first full term. She was appointed to the seat in April 2010 to fill the vacancy left when Deborah Graham was appointed alderman of the 29th Ward earlier that year. Lilly won the election unopposed that November. A founding member and director of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, she is also a longtime administrator at Loretto Hospital.
Next year’s primary is March 20.
-Terry Dean
