A candidate for the Berwyn Township Republican Committeeman seat may be removed from the February ballot following an objection by the incumbent Republican Committeeman.
Anthony Castrogiovanni, incumbent Berwyn Township Republican Committeeman and a former Berwyn mayoral candidate, filed an objection against the candidacy petition of Robert J. Bembenek Jr. last week.
Castrogiovanni said he filed the objection after contending Bembenek was not a Berwyn resident. Bembenek listed an address in the 1300 block of Wenonah Avenue as his place of residence on his candidate petition form filed Nov. 2, according to the Cook County clerk’s office.
“The sheriff went to serve the petition in person and verified with that people that lived there that he doesn’t live at that address,” Castrogiovanni said. “If you’re going to put someone up against me, make sure they ... live at the address they put down.”
Along with an improper address, Castrogiovanni cites an insufficient number of legitimate signatures on Bembenek’s candidacy petition.
A phone number for Bembenek could not be found to comment on his petition for candidacy.
Bembenek was not present at an objection hearing held in Chicago Friday, Nov. 20. The hearing was continued until Tuesday, Dec. 1, to give proper time for all parties involved, according to the Cook County clerk’s office.
If Bembenek is removed from the Feb. 2 ballot, Castrogiovanni will be the lone candidate for the Republican Committeeman seat. Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero filed a candidacy petition to retain his seat as Democratic Committeeman, and Rita Maniotis is the lone incumbent for the Green Party Committeeman seat, according to the Cook County clerk’s office.
