Some Republican candidates near free ride to Nov. 8

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

For some Republican candidates for office in Boone County, Nov. 8 may be a night to sit back and watch results in other people’s races.

The county Democratic Party did not slate any candidates for upcoming vacancies by the May 31 deadline.

That leaves Independent candidates as the only possible opposition for Republicans. Their filing period is June 20 through June 27.

However, Democrats aren’t quite finished. The unexpected death of Craig Schultz, District III member of the county board, leaves them with the sad task of finding a candidate to recommend to County Board Chairman Bob Walberg.

While the vacancy is being advertised, Walberg will officially announce the search for candidates at the June 15 board meeting. He said it has been suggested that such an opening be filled within 60 days of the announcement, but that it’s not mandatory.

“The best thing would be to appoint someone who would run in November,” he said. He added that so far, no one has expressed an interest in being appointed.

Democrats have another deadline, Aug. 31, in case they want to slate a candidate in County Board District III for the Nov. 8 general election.

Other District III candidates are Republicans Carl Larson and former board member Marion Thornberry. They won GOP nominations in the March 15 presidential preference primary election.

Also picking up nominations were Republicans Denny Ellingson and Marshall Newhouse in District I and Dr. Bernard O’Malley and Cathy Ward in District II.

Ellingson is concluding his first term on the board while Newhouse previously served for many years. O’Malley is a member of the county board of health; Ward is a longtime incumbent county board member.

There will be a new board chairman in December as the current office holder, Bob Walberg, chose not to seek re-election out of District I.

In other county competitions, challenger Tricia Smith edged two-term incumbent Michelle Courier for the GOP nomination for state’s attorney. She currently has no Democratic opposition.

Republican Rebecca Wigget is unopposed to this point for coroner, as is Linda Anderson, the current circuit court clerk. Anderson, who was appointed following the resignation of Norah Olsen, won the Republican nomination March 15 by defeating challenger Todd Shattuck.

At the state level, Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, is being opposed by Angelique Bodine of Candlewick Lake, a Democrat. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, state Sen. Dave Syverson, and state Rep. Bob Pritchard, all Republicans, so far are unopposed.

Nearby state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, won’t seek re-election. He is hoping to become the first popularly elected chairman of the McHenry County Board. The county Democratic Party recently chose him to fill that vacancy.