A variety of local, state, and federal candidates filed nominating petitions Monday on the opening day of the filing period.
If two candidates filed for the same office at 8 a.m., there will be a lottery to decide who gets listed first on the primary ballot for the March 19, 2024, election.
Among the contested primary early filers were Chuck Erickson of Bloomington and Regan Deering of Decatur. They are running for the Republican Party nomination for state representative in the 88th House District that stretches from northern McLean County to Decatur and takes in part of Bloomington-Normal. Incumbent Rep. Dan Caulkins is not seeking re-election.
State Rep. Dennis Tipsword of Metamora filed for reelection in the 105th House District. Tipsword will face Donald Rients of Benson in the GOP primary. That deep-red rural district stretches from Peoria north to Bureau and Lasalle counties and east to Livingston and McLean counties.
There also will be at least two contested primaries for McLean County Board. In District 2, Mike O'Neil and Dennis Grundler filed as Republicans. District 2 incumbent Jim Soeldner is not running again. In District 3, incumbent George Wendt filed, as did Brian Loeffler. Both are Republicans. (Use this map to see which county board district you live in.)
Two Democrats filed in county board District 5, but Elizabeth Johnston and Buck Farley are running for separate seats. Johnston is asking voters for a full four-year term. Farley wants to fill the remaining two years of an unexpired term.
Other early filer local candidates included Democrats Jim Rogal for county board District 4 and Erica Larkin in district 10. Other Republicans filing for county board are Jerry Klinkner in District 4, and incumbent Susan Schafer in District 9.
Early filers for countywide offices include Auditor Michelle Anderson, Circuit Clerk Don Everhart, Coroner Kathy Yoder, and State's Attorney Erika Reynolds. All are Republicans.
Other candidates who filed include Democratic state Sen. Dave Koehler of Peoria and Republican Sally Owens of Peoria Heights, who will likely face Koehler in the November 2024 election for the 46th Senate District seat. Republican Desi Anderson and Democratic State Rep. Sharon Chung, of Bloomington, have both filed in the 87th House District.
Filing after 8 a.m., but before noon on Monday, were: Democrat Sean Fagan in county board District 9, and Democrat Alex Duffy in District 6. For the latest in candidate filings go here.
The filing period ends at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4.
