Democrats seized majority control of the McLean County Board in Tuesday's election, unseating two incumbent Republicans and tipping the balance of power in their favor for the first time, according to unofficial results.
Redistricting ahead of the 2022 election resulted in a 10-10 split between Republicans and Democrats. Nine seats were on the ballot this year, creating a path for Democrats to gain control for the first time. If current numbers hold, Democrats will soon hold a 12-to-8 majority on the county board.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the future has arrived,” Democratic Party chair Patrick Cortesi said Tuesday during the party's watch party at the Castle Theatre in downtown Bloomington.
"The people have spoken," said McLean County Republican party chairman Dennis Grundler from his party's election night gathering at Rob Dob's restaurant in Bloomington. "It was close, but unless something changes with the mail-in ballots, it looks like it's going to be a 12-8 board."
With all precincts reporting from both the Bloomington and McLean County election authorities, Democratic vice-chair Elizabeth Johnston retains her seat for a full four-year term, earning 54% of the vote against Republican challenger Chad Berck.
“I am incredibly grateful for the amount of support I’ve had from District 5, for me and for Buck,” Johnston said.
Democrat Buck Farley edged out Republican Randy Knapp by a narrow margin for District 5’s second seat. Knapp was appointed a year ago to replace Republican chair John McIntyre, and fell just 1.5% shy of keeping that seat.
“I told people if we flipped the county board I would ugly cry tonight,” Johnston said. “But at this point, I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve done.”
Democrat Val Laymon faced an unsuccessful challenge from Republican David Dunn in District 7, covering much of Bloomington’s near east side. District 4 appointee Jim Rogal, also a Democrat, won 58% of the vote against Republican Jerry Klinkner, who has run twice for a seat representing west and north Normal. And Republican Gary Stevens unsuccessfully challenged Eric Hansen, a Democrat appointed to District 8, covering downtown and west Bloomington. In south Bloomington’s District 9, Democrat Sean Fagan beat Republican incumbent Susan Schafer with 52% of the vote.
"Susan didn't come to us for any kind of campaign help," said Grundler. "She's voted with the Democrats more than a few times. I don't know if that cost her or made it tighter."
In a Facebook post, Schafer congratulated Fagan on his win.
"I would like to thank District 9 residents for all the support over the last 14 years. It has been an honor to serve you," she wrote.
Republicans maintain rural districts
Republican Mike O’Neil won handily against Democratic opponent Raul Martinez in District 2, taking more than 70% of the vote in an area primarily in rural southeastern McLean County, including Downs and LeRoy.
District 10, encompassing Bloomington’s east side, was an open race after Republican Chuck Erickson’s decision to vacate his seat after an unsuccessful bid for the Illinois House last March. Republican Mark Clauss edged out Erica Larkin, a Democrat, with 54% of the vote.
"I'm not much of a political expert, so I don't know that I have a lot of insight on what to expect," Clauss said of the shift in political power. "I'm just going to try to come into it open-minded and we can all hopefully work toward what's best for all the county residents."
Republican Brian Loeffler, who defeated incumbent George Wendt in the primary, successfully ran against Democrat Rob Ogborn in District 3 that covers a large area south and west of Bloomington to the county line, including Shirley, Stanford, Danvers, McLean and parts of Heyworth.
“It didn’t go my way, but that’s OK,” said Ogborn. “It was a fight worth fighting. We’ll get ‘em again in two years.”
Districts 1 and 6 will be represented by Republican Adam Reeves and Democrat Alex Duffy, respectively, who both ran unopposed.
Duffy is originally from Morris and is studying politics and government at Illinois State University.
“It’s very surreal, especially being in college still,” Duffy said. “I’ve been involved and interested in politics for such a long time, so to see it manifest is really cool.”
The newly Democrat-controlled board will vote this month on a proposed $137 million plan to fund the courthouse and jail, county-owned nursing home, behavioral health initiatives and vital services such as animal control, emergency management and the coroner’s office.
Several elected positions whose departments are funded by the county also were on the ballot —all Republicans, running unopposed: State’s Attorney Erika Reynolds, Circuit Court Clerk Don Everhart, Coroner Kathy Yoder and Auditor Michelle Anderson, who staved off a challenge to her position through a countywide referendum.
Voters opted to maintain an elected county auditor.
