Orland Township Trustee Kenneth Duffy says he is excited to begin work to boost the Republican Party’s standing as the township committeeperson following Tuesday’s primary.
With all precincts tallied, Duffy had 54.1% of votes while former township committeeperson Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman had 45.9%, according to unofficial results.
Duffy told supporters Tuesday night at Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant in Orland Park that he’s proud to come out on top against “a big name with a big history in politics.” He said he will ensure all local ballots in upcoming elections include “good, solid Republican candidates.”
“I’m going to be representing everybody,” Duffy said. “I decided that when I ran as a trustee and as seen in my actions, that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
Duffy had the support of former Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and Village Trustee Cynthia Katsenes, the outgoing committeeperson. Pekau attacked Gorman’s past leadership of the Republican committee, saying in a social media post Feb. 27, “she attacked Republican candidates, backed Democrats and undermined party unity.”
“That’s not leadership — it’s sabotage,” Pekau wrote.
Gorman Tuesday night wished Duffy luck, but said the race’s 5.9% turnout shows a “decimated” Republican Party. She blamed Pekau for a divisive race.
“He just spewed a bunch of lies,” Gorman said. “I wish Ken Duffy nothing but the best in the mess that he’s been left with.”
Pekau did not return requests for comment Wednesday.
Gorman said she is now focused on her goal to replace Sean Morrison as Cook County commissioner representing the 17th District. She ran unopposed in that Republican primary and will face Elyse Hoffenberg in the November election.
Beth McElroy Kirkwood ran unopposed to lead Orland Township’s Democratic Party.
Thornton Township
With all votes tabulated in Thornton Township, Supervisor Napoleon Harris had 65.5% of votes while Stephanie Wiedeman had 34.5% for Democratic committeeperson, according to unofficial results.
Kenneth ‘Ken’ Henderson ran unopposed to lead the township Republican Party.
Wiedeman, elected interim township trustee during a town hall style caucus near the end of former Supervisor Tiffany Henyard’s administration, chose not to seek reelection once Harris, who is also a state senator, announced he would seek the supervisor position.
She says she maintained a decades-long relationship with Harris, and trusted he would get the township on the right track, but said that relationship deteriorated after Harris was sworn in in May, with Wiedeman being rehired within the township and quitting two weeks later.
“I don’t know what to say outside of our current leadership is selfish,” Wiedeman said Wednesday. “I really think there needs to be a community approach, and I’m not seeing that.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
