Washington Mayor Gary Manier has decided not to run for an Illinois Senate seat, after initially declaring plans to campaign as a Republican.
Four candidates filed for the seat ahead of Monday’s deadline: Chris Balkema of Channahon, Jesse Faber of Pontiac, Mike Kirkton of Gridley, and Susan Wynn Bence of Watseka.
The 53rd Senate District includes parts of Bloomington-Normal and Peoria County and stretches from the Illinois River to the Indiana border.
In the 46th Senate District that stretches from Bloomington-Normal west to Peoria, incumbent state Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, has filed for another four-year term. Republican Sally Owens of Peoria also filed for the office.
In the 105th House District, a mostly rural stretch from northeast Normal to Peru, Republican incumbent Dennis Tipsword of Metamora submitted petitions, as did Republican challenger Don Rients of Benson and Democrat Morgan Phillips of Lostant.
The 91st House District which spans from Bloomington-Normal to Peoria, Democratic incumbent Sharon Chung of Bloomington filed, along with Republican Desi Anderson of Carlock.
The 88th House District will feature a Republican primary between Chuck Erickson of Bloomington and Regan Deering of Decatur.
In the 106th House District that includes northeastern McLean County, Republican incumbent Jason Bunting of Dwight was the only candidate to file.
Republican incumbent Bill Hauter of Morton was the only candidate to file in the 87th House District that includes western McLean County and a mostly rural area between interstates 74 and 72.
McLean County races
There will be two Republican primary races on the McLean County Board next March.
In District 2 (southeast McLean County) Dennis Grundler, the county GOP chair, and fellow Republican Mike O’Neil have filed for the seat, as did Democrat Raul Martinez. Republican Jim Soeldner is not seeking reelection.
In District 3 (southwest McLean County), Republican incumbent George Wendt has fled along with Republican Brian Loeffler and Democrat Rob Ogborn.
Seven other county board seats will not be contested until the November general election.
District 4 (northwest Normal) incumbent Democrat Jim Rogal will face a challenge from Republican Jerry Klinkner.
District 5 (north-central and east Normal) Democrat and board vice chair Elizabeth Johnston filed for re-election. Republican Chad Berck also filed for the seat.
For an unexpired term in District 5, Republican incumbent Randy Knapp and Democrat Buck Farley are the two candidates.
In District 7 (east-central Bloomington), Democratic incumbent Val Laymon and Republican David Dunn filed.
In District 8 (west Bloomington), Democratic incumbent Eric Hansen and Republican Gary Stevens are seeking the office.
In District 9 (south Bloomington), Republican incumbent Susan Schafer faces a challenge from Democrat Sean Fagan.
District 10 (eastern Bloomington-Normal) will feature a race between Democrat Erica Larkin and Republican Ross Webb.
Two county board seats had only one candidate — Republican Adam Reeves in District 1 (northeastern McLean County), and Democrat Alex Duffy in District 6 (Uptown Normal and parts of Illinois State University campus).
The county board is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.
Two Republicans filed for circuit clerk, incumbent Don Everhart and challenger Jason Dazey.
Other countywide officeholders filed for re-election without challengers: state’s attorney Erika Reynolds, coroner Kathy Yoder and auditor Michelle Anderson.
