Democrats lead in 14 of 19 Lake County Board races with more than 219,000 votes reported in the county as of Wednesday, according to unofficial results, and all 16 incumbent County Board members lead their challengers.
Democrats entered the election with a 15-6 edge on the County Board. Candidates vying for seats in both parties were hopeful about shifting balance on the board, as Republicans hoped for a “red wave” and Democrats looked to defend or expand on their majority.
In countywide races for treasurer, clerk, sheriff and regional superintendent of schools, Democratic candidates had cushions of at least 18,000 votes as of Wednesday.
Lauren Beth Gash, chairwoman of the Lake County Democrats, said that voters see a “better fit” in Lake County with the platform Democrats campaigned on.
“There’s been a tremendous amount of work we’ve been putting in over the past many years, and it certainly has paid off,” Gash said. “Our candidates worked hard. They never relented. They did everything they needed to do. They talked to voters. They raised the money. We worked very hard in the background.”
In the race for Lake County clerk, Democratic challenger Anthony Vega led incumbent Republican Robin O’Connor, 51.6% to 48.4%. Democratic incumbent Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim led Republican Paula McGuire, 57.5% to 42.5%.
Lake County Republican Chairman Keith Brin said Wednesday morning that it is clear that “we have a lot of work to do, especially in Lake County,” as the swing Republicans were hoping for locally and nationally did not materialize.
“It also highlights that we can’t rely on polls and things going on outside of Lake County, in Illinois or in the national scene, as crutches or excuses for why we don’t have to do the work in Lake County,” Brin said. “Because we do.”
County Republicans elected Brin over the summer to replace Mark Shaw with the goal of starting to win back positions lost in the 2018 and 2020 elections.
“In a lot of ways, it’s really why Republicans elected me as chairman to take over the county a few months ago,” Brin said. “We’ve seen signs of progress as we rebuild our party here, our infrastructure, and work toward winning the county. But we have a lot of work to do in Lake County.”
– Original Credit: News-Sun
Democrat Michael Karner, the incumbent regional superintendent of schools, led Republican Terence O’Brien 56.7% to 43.3%. Karner was appointed as a Republican in 2021 before switching parties.
Democratic Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart of Lake Bluff also holds a significant lead on Republican challenger Richard Ruzich of Lake Bluff, 61% to 39%, in District 13.
Republicans lead in the race for an open County Board seat in District 2, while Democratic candidates hold leads for open seats in Districts 16 and 18.
Democrat Esiah Campos of Round Lake Beach holds a 58% to 42% lead in District 16 against Republican Ed Liberman of Round Lake Heights.
Campos, a 26-year-old Navy reservist who will become the County Board’s first-ever Latino member if results hold, declared victory late on Tuesday.
“I know what it’s like to stand up for what I believe in, and for too long my district has been ignored and isolated,” Campos said. “As the first Latino member of the Lake County Board, I will not only be a new and fresh voice for my entire district, but also for the Latino community throughout Lake County.”
Gash added, “Our diversity is our strength, and the voters know that.”
Republican Adam Schlick of Wauconda, who leads Democrat Linda Troester of Round Lake 51.1% to 48.9% in District 2, credited his supporters Wednesday morning.
“It is still hard to put into words how thankful I am for all the support I have received over this 11-month journey,” Schlick wrote in a Facebook post. “While the race isn’t ‘official’ until the late arriving ballots and provisional ballots are counted in the next two weeks, it would appear I have been successful in my bid for Lake County Board.”
Brin said Schlick “worked very hard” and believes he will fare well on the County Board.
“He definitely brings back the idea that if we have good candidates who work very hard and connect with their constituents, it’s not about party politics, it’s about connecting with those voters,” Brin said.
Sara Knizhnik of Vernon Hills holds a 56.2% to 43.8% lead on Republican Kim Lynch of Hawthorn Woods in another race for an open seat in District 18.
Gash said that Knizhnik, a gun violence prevention activist, is a “powerhouse” and an “incredible worker.”
“She’s deeply dedicated, her commitment is real and voters saw that,” Gash said. “What she’s been doing to make a difference in our community long before it ever dawned on her to become a candidate is amazing.”
The county Board is shrinking from 21 to 19 seats when the new board is sworn in next month, a result of redistricting in 2021 after the U.S. Census.
Lake County’s vote tally includes more than 66,000 early votes, more than 117,000 Election Day votes and nearly 34,000 mail-in votes. Turnout is hovering near 47% out of 463,324 registered voters.
Provisional ballots and mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 8, will continue to be processed as they are received until Nov. 22, when the results of the election are certified.
