Turns Attack on Opponents : ‘Worst’ Legislator Makes Political Hay Out of Title

CHICAGO â€”  A state senator who has been voted one of the worst legislators in the state by his colleagues can’t be accused of hiding the fact. He has emblazoned it on a campaign brochure being sent to 60,000 voters.

Democratic state Sen. LeRoy Lemke’s campaign organizers call the strategy a “preemptive strike.� Republicans call it a gift.

“I guess when you get a lemon you try to make lemonade,� state Republican Chairman Don Adams said. “And he’s got a big lemon.�

In big, bold letters, the front of the two-page brochure reads: “Who says LeRoy Lemke is one of the 10 worst Illinois legislators?�

Inside, Lemke answers the question: “Politicians, Springfield fix-it artists and lobbyists.�

Asked his reaction to the brochure, challenger Robert Raica said, “I thought we mailed it out.�

“When I first saw it,� said Raica’s campaign manager, Stan Nykiel, “I thought it was an outstanding piece because I thought we’d put it out. But it took me to the second page of the pamphlet to find out it was Lemke’s.�

Lemke, 51, of Chicago was named the worst state legislator last year in a Chicago Sun-Times poll of his colleagues. He was named one of the 10 worst in a similar 1977 poll. The worst were described as goof-offs who contribute little to debate or the bill-shaping process.