Four years ago, Wendy Casey made the decision to run for mayor in Dixmoor, Illinois. However, she’s not the only Casey in the race, her son, Randall, is one of three candidates running against her.
Wendy, the mother of two, has lived in Dixmoor for almost her entire life and feels her son doesn’t have the experience for the position. Wendy’s involvement in the local Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for the past ten years performing the role of vice president of Lincoln School PTA and working with the District 19 PTA is what deepened her interest in politics. Her son, Randall, on the other hand is currently working as a cable company technician and is the election’s youngest competitor.
Both candidates feel Dixmoor is in need of an audit while Wendy believes that “based on the last 8 years, anyone can do better right now.” She has her goals set on improving the school system and renovating abandoned buildings among others. When it comes to running against each other, they try to keep conversations about the elections in check, but tensions still exist within their home.
“The relationship that me and my son have, regardless of this election, is love. He was my first born and even though he’s 27, he’s my baby,” Wendy stated. During an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Randall said, “I will not consider her an opponent in this race because politics is ugly and it can divide a family and friends in a heartbeat, and I would hate to lose that mother-son relationship that I have with my mother.”
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BMWK — Have you ever had to compete against a close family member for a major position? How did you handle it?