Tooker Not Running for Point Beach Council

Point Beach Councilmember Kristine Tooker is not running for reelection because she wants to pursue personal interests and because she has faith in the two Democrats running.

Tooker, a former registered Republican now registered as an Independent, is endorsing

Republicans Tom Vogel, former mayor and councilman, and Tom Toohey are running unopposed in the June 4 Republican primary and will face the two Democrats in November.

Tooker, who was the highest vote getter when she won in 2007 and 2010, said in a prepared statement she released Monday night that she had seriously considered running for reelection, at the behest of many of her constituents.

"However, there are two factors that helped me in deciding not to run at this time," she said. "It was then-Mayor Tom Vogel who asked me to first run a short time after my husband passed away. It was good timing, as it helped me re-channel my grief in another direction and I knew Kenny would have approved. 

"But being on the council, if done correctly, is very time-consuming. I have given it my all for the past five years and have not been able to devote myself to much else on a personal level. I would like the time now to pursue some other interests.  

"Also making my decision a bit easier is having two people run who I whole-heartedly support and will actively campaign for - Tom Davis and Councilman Mike Corbally," Tooker said. "These two men and I are like-minded in many of the issues that are important to Point Beach. 

"I am confident in them and know that they have our town's best interests, rather than 'special interests' at heart. They aren't afraid to stand up for what's right, as Mayor Barrella and I have done. I have great respect for Tom Vogel  but, as many know, I do not support the direction the Republican Club has gone in recent years and do not agree with their agenda for Point Beach.

"This is a crucial time for our town as we rebuild after Hurricane Sandy. I am grateful to have had the chance to be there from the beginning to help, despite my own family home being flooded. Councilman Corbally has been a leader in these efforts and Tom Davis' experience on our land use boards and environmental commission is invaluable. 

"Both are smart and committed to the hard work that lies ahead. When they are elected, I will be sure that I have left our town in great hands as they join Mayor Barrella and Councilman Gordon in furthering the positive things I have been proud to be a part of."

When Tooker first ran for council, she ran as a Republican. When she ran for reelection, she was endorsed by the Republican party and ran on the Republican line, but then did not run with the club or their other candidate, Joellen Arrabito, because she disagreed with certain Republican club positions during the primary.

She ran without the Republican club support or funding, and had her own campaign chair, treasurer, literature and signs, running essentially as an Independent, but was still a registered Republican. Last year, she switched her registration to Independent.

For full text of statement, see attached PDF.