Karmeier retention campaign committee created; Former Senate GOP leader Watson to chair

A campaign committee dedicated to supporting the retention of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier has been created.

According to the Illinois State Board of Elections website, Illinoisans for Karmeier was was created Aug. 13 with $100 in available funds.

The committee is chaired by former State Sen. Frank Watson of Greenville. Its treasurer is Geri Snead of Nashville.

Watson had served in the Senate from 1983 until he resigned due to health reasons in 2009. He had been Senate Republican leader from 2003 until his resignation.

Voters in the state's Fifth Judicial District will be asked whether to retain Karmeier to another 10-year term in the Nov. 4 general election. He needs a 60 percent "yes" vote to succeed.

Karmeier will turn 75 on inauguration day for Illinois officials elected in the November election - Jan. 12, 2015.

In the 2004 election in which Karmeier, a Republican, faced Gordon Maag, a Democrat, close to $10 million was raised between the candidates. At the time it shattered records for most expensive state supreme court race in the country. Karmeier's committee raised more than $4.6 million in 2004.