PEORIA Like others, Martha Herm was dazzled by Joe Biden.
At the time March 31, 2010 Herm was the executive director for Peoria’s Center for the Prevention of Abuse, and Biden was two years into his vice presidency in the Obama administration. Biden, a crucial player in passing 1994’s Violence Against Women Act, had been invited to Peoria as keynote speaker for the organization’s annual Partners in Peace Awards fundraising event.
“His speaking ability was fabulous,” says Herm, who five years ago retired after 26 years with the center. “His ability to connect was terrific.”
The sellout Peoria Civic Center audience of 1,100 sat riveted as Biden acutely described the horrors, challenges and truths regarding abuse.
Tim Shelley / Peoria Public Radio
Early voting for next month’s consolidated primary elections began Thursday, and Peoria County Election Commission Executive Director Tom Bride believes turnout may be higher than usual this year.
With five candidates on the ballot to replace Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis and four City Council district races with more than two candidates, Bride thinks the crowded fields may generate greater voter interest.
“It’s been a while since we ve had a really heavily contested mayoral race and this many heavily contested city council races. We typically haven t had a big turnout in these primaries, but I think we ll be higher because of that,” said Bride, noting the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could counteract any increased interest and potentially suppress voting.