Despite the highest national voting turnout in a presidential election in 44 years, only one Democratic candidate broke through onto the Kendall County Board. That’s hardly stop-the-presses type news in Illinois, where the state has been “blue” for some time. But after going seven out of 10 in local elections, the Republican Party in Kendall County remains a strong, organized force to be reckoned with under the fresh, energetic leadership of Chairman Keith Wheeler.
“I know a lot of professional baseball players who would love to be batting with a .700 percentage,” Wheeler said. “We’ve seen a blip on the screen for the first time with the Kendall County Board, but we are proud of the way our candidates handled themselves, especially considering that this was the first time for a few.”
With 4 of 5 Kendall County Board seats going to GOP candidates and the solid victories posted by Tom Cross in the 84th State Representative race; Kay Hatcher in the 50th State Representative district and Debbie Gillette’s key win in the race for County Clerk and Recorder, Republicans can pat themselves on the back, but at the same time, realize that much hard work lies ahead.
“Even with the huge turnout (69 percent in Kendall County) and other candidates riding the President-elect’s coattails, we held our own,” said Wheeler, who took over the Chairman’s post in early March of this year. “Our supporters worked very hard for all of the Republican candidates, and now we have to sort through our efforts and determine what worked well and where we need to improve.”
Besides Democrat Elizabeth Flowers win in the Kendall County Board District 2 race, Incumbent Democrats Bill Foster and Linda Holmes won their respective races for the 14th Congressional seat and the 42nd State Senate seat. Both Jim Oberweis and Terri Ann Wintermute fought hard against the odds in those races.
Local winners
The final verdict for Kendall County Board seats showed Jeff Wehrli garnering the most votes in District 2 followed by Flowers, ahead of both Democrat James Feeley and Republican Robert Wyngard.
In District 1, Republicans swept the voting with John Shaw earning the most votes, followed by Suzanne Petrella and incumbent Bob H.D. Davidson, who both held wide margins over their Democratic challengers.
In the race between Debbie Gillette and the Democratic candidate Patricia Feeley for Kendall County Clerk and Recorder, Gillette won comfortably with 57.4 percent of the vote. Gillette was understandably ecstatic. “We worked really hard, and it was nice to see that type of hard work pay off,” she said.
Hatcher wins
Elsewhere, longtime Kendall County Board member Kay Hatcher of Yorkville defeated Democrat Mary Schneider of Batavia. Hatcher replaces retiring State Rep. Patricia Lindner, who held the seat in the 50th Illinois House district since 1993.
Hatcher attributed her win Tuesday night to a bipartisan effort.
“I had voters who appreciated my efforts in the past to preserve open space and control taxes for businesses and homeowners,” Hatcher said. “I am very grateful. I’ve been tested, and I’m ready to serve the folks of this district.
Lastly, Tom Cross’ decisive victory over Dennis Grosskopf in the 84th State Representative District means that Cross, the House Republican Leader in Springfield, will begin his 16th year in the Illinois legislature having served in this capacity since 1993.
