The Presidential election has taken a lot of the headlines this election season, but there are some local elections voters will have to decide when they go to the polls.
Kane County’s biggest race pits Coroner Rob Russell, a Republican, against Democrat Tao “Tom” Martinez.
Russell is the incumbent who points to his accomplishments in his first term, such as helping the office achieve certification and reuniting families from around the world with the remains of their loved ones that were found in his office. Russell’s office was over budget for three years and it created tension between the coroner and the county board.
Martinez has argued the office is financially mismanaged and attributed the office being over budget to employee salaries. He has said 60 to 70 percent of the budget is used for salaries, overtime and per diems. He is a small business owner who manages budgets larger than the coroner’s and will keep costs in line, he said.
A majority of the countywide races are unopposed including Chairman Chris Lauzen, State’s Attorney Joseph McMahon, Circuit Clerk Thomas “Tom” Hartwell, Recorder Sandy Wegman and Auditor Terry Hunt.
Kane County board races include:
District 4: Angela Clay Thomas against John Kopp
District 6: Incumbent Brian Dahl challenged by Donald Baltzer.
District 8: Barbara Hernandez against Linda Pasetti-Olsen
District 10: Incumbent Susan Starrett challenged by Todd Zies.
District 16: Incumbent Michael Kenyon challenged by Jennifer Barconis.
District 19: Incumbent Andrew “Drew” Frasz challenged by Nicolas Jimenez.
District 22: Incumbent Douglas Scheflow challenged by Randy Hopp.
District 24: Jarett Sanchez against Roben Hall.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
