The primary race to replace state Rep. Mike Tryon in Illinois House District 66 is now down to three Republican candidates.
On Monday, Paul Serwatka, a Lakewood village trustee, announced he is withdrawing as a candidate. He was running against Carolyn Schofield, Allen Skillicorn and Dan Wilbrandt in the Republican primary election. The winner of the primary election will face Nancy A. Zettler, who is on the Democratic ballot unopposed March 15.
Serwatka said the decision to withdraw was a difficult one.
“If I had a little bit more financial wherewithal I would have stuck it out,” he said in a phone call Monday night.
Serwatka is now is endorsing Skillicorn in the race, saying he is in a better position to win.
“This race is not about me. It’s bigger than me,” Serwatka said. “It’s about really wanting to fight for reform in Illinois and Allen has the much stronger financial wherewithal. I didn’t want to take the chance of splitting up the conservative vote.”
District 66 includes parts of Algonquin, Crystal Lake, East and West Dundee, Elgin, Gilberts, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Lakewood and Sleepy Hollow.
Wilbrandt is a West Dundee trustee and assistant state’s attorney in McHenry County and Schofield is a former member of the Crystal Lake City Council and current member of the McHenry County Board.
Skillicorn, an East Dundee trustee and current vice chairman of the Kane County Republican Party, said in a press release he is “honored to have Paul’s confidence and support.”
Erin Sauder is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
