Alan Nudo Drops Out of State Senate Race

Champaign County Board member Alan Nudo has dropped out of the race for the 52nd Senate District.

In a statement posted on his campaign website, Nudo said:

"I have made the decision to withdraw my name in the primary for the 52nd State Senate District. I want to thank all of the great people supporting me from the bottom of my heart. Many, many people have been helpful and kind. This decision is what's best for me and my family at this time."

Nudo is president of the development firm, Robeson's Inc, and has served on the Champaign County Board since 2007.

Nudo's withdrawal comes after a charge made on the political blog Prairie State Report earlier this month. Blogger Todd Warner Houston charged that Nudo had supported Frerichs by signing checks to his campaign in 2007 and '08. The News-Gazette reported Saturday that Nudo explained that he co-signed the checks for Triple R Development LLC, as part of his duties at Robeson's Inc, which handles Triple R's day-to-day business operations.

The newspaper also reported that Nudo subsequently accused Bambanek and Frerichs of working together, since information supplied by Frerichs appeared on a blog that Bambanek hosted through his consulting firm. In reporting on Nudo's withdrawal from the state Senate race, the News-Gazette quoted Nudo as saying those remarks were "a mistake on my part. I should have tried to stay above the fray and explain it as best I could."

The News-Gazette also reports that Nudo plans to step down from his Champaign County Board seat.

On both his Facebook and Twitter pages, Bambenek writes, "I wish all the best to Alan Nudo (@alannudo). He is a good man and we will miss his great leadership on the Champaign County Board."

Nudo's departure from the state Senate race leaves John Bambenek the only candidate running as a Republican in the 52nd District. Bambenek will face incumbent Democrat Mike Frerichs in the November general election.

The newly redrawn district includes Champaign-Urbana and Danville.

(Story updated at 10:52 AM Jan 22, 2012)

(Photo by Sean Powers/WILL)