Search Begins for New Champaign District 5 Council Rep

The city of Champaign is looking for someone to serve as interim city councilman for District Five, the city council seat left vacant by Dave Johnson's resignation. Council members approved a process for appointing Johnson's replace at Tuesday night's meeting.

One interested applicant was present at the meeting. Gordy Hulten is Director of Sales and Marketing for the Devonshire Group, and a Republican precinct committeeman. But many followers of Champaign County politics know Hulten best as the man behind the local political blog, Illinipundit.

"I have, because of illinipundit.com, probably paid as close attention to Champaign city government as anybody in the community over the past 5 or 6 years," Hulten said. "I've grown to love city government, I've grown to love the people who are involved, the culture of cooperation and problem solving that exists on the staff and on the council, and I'd really like to be a part of that."

Hulten says he hasn't decided whether he'll continue producing Illinipundit if appointed to the Champaign City Council, saying he may no longer have the time. But he says if appointed, he'll run for the council seat in the 2011 mid-term election.

The process approved by the Champaign City Council last night gives applications until March 22 to apply for the position. The council will interview the candidates at a special study session, and vote on their selection on April 20.