Democratic Congressional candidate reimburses suburb for cheap gas stunt

As he did in 2006, Democrat Dan Seals is challenging Republican incumbent Mark Kirk for Illinois' 10th Congressional District seat, which encompasses most of Chicago's North Shore area.

He chose a stunt to sell cheap gasoline last week. Ironically, in 2006, then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi told Americans that she had a "commonsense plan" to lower gas prices.

Is Seals' snafu what she had in mind?

From CBS 2 Chicago:

Democratic Congressional candidate Dan Seals' campaign reimbursed the village of Lincolnshire more than $2,000 Tuesday, following a gas promotion that gridlocked traffic and village resources last week.

Seals' finance manager dropped off a check for $2,200, which is the estimated cost for increased patrols for a May 22 promotion where Seals offered gas for $1.85 a gallon.

The price reduction was supposed to give motorists a break and represent the cost of gas before Seal's November opponent, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, (R-Highland Park), took office.

Seal's campaign said 50 motorists were able to take advantage of the event. Traffic along Milwaukee Avenue and Route 22 was backed up in all directions as people attempted to enter the Marathon Gas station.

Lincolnshire's police chief estimated that about a dozen village employees were sent to the gas station Seals chose for his stunt to control traffic and keep order.

UPDATE 3:45 PM: Anne Leary has a lot more on her blog, Backyard Conservative.

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