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Rep. Conroy declares victory in DuPage County

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Illinois

* Daily Herald…

State Rep. Deb Conroy is poised to become the first woman to lead the DuPage County Board, an office held only by Republican men for generations.

On a strong night for DuPage Democrats, Conroy jumped out ahead early and maintained a comfortable lead over Hinsdale Republican Greg Hart in a hard-fought and expensive race for county board chair.

Just before 11 p.m., Conroy had collected 165,668 votes, or 50.8% of the total, unofficial results show. Hart had 160,227, or 49%.

If the results hold, Conroy, 60, will replace outgoing county board Chairman Dan Cronin, an Elmhurst Republican, who did not seek a fourth term.

“We’re celebrating. We made history,” Conroy said late Tuesday.

Rep. Conroy said this morning that Hart “graciously conceded last night.” The mail-in ballots were 3-1 Democratic, she said.

Democratic DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek also won yesterday, defeating former GOP Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti.

Any other local races you’d like to talk about?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:06 am

Comments

Incredible. Historic. Congrats to Conroy and her team.

Even better considering all the threats she faced down. M

Comment by low level Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:11 am
Looks like Bob Schillerstrom lost his bid for DuPage Forest Preserve president. Never thought I’d see him lose a countywide race.

Up in Lake County, Republicans put up a goose egg in their first election post-Mark Shaw. Dems won the countywide races by bigger margins than in 2018. No statewide candidate got over 40% there except Tom Demmer. The suburbs are gone for Republicans now, along with any chance they have of winning state level power.

Comment by vern Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:13 am
In Kane County, Democrat Nico Jimenez lost to John Cunningham for County Clerk, and Democrat Jeffrey Pripusich lost to Republican Chris Lauzen for treasurer, however Democrat Ron Hain won re-election against challenger Jeffrey Bodin for county sheriff. Looks like ticket-splitting is alive and well in Kane County.

Not sure how the results compare to past elections, but the treasurer’s race was relatively close.

Comment by Techie Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:24 am
I’m confounded by Azam Nizamuddin’s loss in District 48.

Comment by Luke Steele Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:27 am
Congratulations to Deb Conroy. I do hope Hart stays involved, he was a hard-working candidate that didn’t embrace extremism.

Comment by Rogo Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:31 am
Hey Luke, District 48 resident here. Azam’s loss is likely because of midterm turnout and identity politics. Several of the communities in the 48th (Bloomingdale & Roselle in particular) have large Italian-American populations and they came out to support Sanalitro. It is too bad as Azam is a great candidate (Trib & Herald endorsed) but in a tough district.

Comment by Lunchbox Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:32 am
Despite serious money and ugly smear tactics by his opponent; Mike Marron crushes Cindy Cunningham by 15 points in ILGA 104th House race.

Somewhat refreshing that over the top ugliness vs. a truly good and decent man failed miserably.

Comment by This Just In Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:34 am
ILGOP needs to figure out what Sean Morrison is doing right in the South Suburbs and try to emulate that.

Comment by Sox Fan Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:35 am
Seeing the blue wall of counties in northeast Illinois voting for Pritzker was surreal. I wonder if that was a one-off, or if this is indicative of a wider trend in future elections.

Comment by Gen Z Opinionater Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:36 am
Kane County Board District 11 in the heart of downtown Geneva flipped from Red to Blue. As things stand, the county board will be 15 Democrats and 9 Republicans. But that may change depending on any outstanding mail-in ballots that arrive in the coming days with one of the races only 11 votes apart.

Comment by Blue to the Bone Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:36 am
Very glad TCH won, and handily. She does a great job.

Comment by workingfromhome Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:45 am
Bad night for Sangamon County GOP and SHG darlings Sandy Hamilton and Ken Leonard. Sangamon County GOP tried their formula of putting SHG “name” on the ballot and it blew up.

Ken Leonard found out voters don’t really care about his thoughts on public health issues despite him and his son running their mouths to the HS football community about them going to take out JB because of a lost football season.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:49 am
Mentioned in earlier post, Debra Ming-Mendoza was defeated by Linda Andreas for County Clerk in Madison County. To say Andreas is “interesting” is an understatement. I foresee a lot of controversy coming from here due to dome of he beliefs that Andreas holds. One being that she doesn’t have to pass on increases in property taxes that the taxing districts levy.

Comment by Highland IL Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:49 am
===indicative of a wider trend===

I think candidate quality and money may decide whether this is true. In this cycle, the Republicans had neither. Accordingly, the Democrats ran up impressive margins.

Comment by Rogo Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:53 am
Slip and Sue just fell again, lol.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:54 am
I miss Mrs. Sanguinetti

Then I read about what she’s been up to…

I don’t miss her anymore.

I do like her yard signs.

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:56 am
Brown County voted 74-23 to try to leave Illinois. What can I do to help this drain of the state budget attain their goal? When you were a Democrat, Don Tracy, I helped you get your signs up in my precinct. I’d love the opportunity to help you/your family one more time. Please advise, thanks.

Comment by Kippax Blue Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:56 am
Pate’s DuPage is no more… even the county chair…

Republicans need to realize… they ain’t what the voters feel comfortable in leading… and now in DuPage too.

Good on Conroy.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:58 am
Looks like Hastings lost. Harmon will be very happy about that. So much so that Don may help Mike pack

Comment by low level Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:58 am
When I moved to Kane County around 1992, Denny Hastert was my representative, the Kane County Board was solidly Republican, and the Republican newspapers were still being delivered for free.

Now my US representative is Bill Foster, my state senator is Linda Holmes, my state representative is Matt Hanson, and my County Board rep is Leslie Juby. All Democrats.

Never would have predicted this.

Comment by Lefty Lefty Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:58 am
===Looks like Hastings lost===

Not yet.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:59 am
**the Republicans had neither**

Proft spent something like $50M. Yea, Pritzker obviously outspent Bailey/Proft, but the GOP spent plenty of money this cycle.

Comment by JoeMaddon Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:01 am
=== but the GOP spent plenty of money this cycle. ===

The GOP also got blanketed, loud, daily earned media out of the crime issue/SAFE-T Act.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:05 am
===the GOP spent plenty of money===

Perhaps the Republicans spent a competitive sum, but the lack of candidate quality likely wiped out any advantage that would create.

Comment by Rogo Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:06 am
**the lack of candidate quality likely wiped out any advantage that would create.**

Of course. But make that your argument rather than “Republicans didn’t have money.”

Comment by JoeMaddon Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:09 am
===make that your argument===

To be clear, I believe Republicans need to have both in order to be successful in a statewide race. Issues of money aside, they did not have quality candidates.

Comment by Rogo Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:13 am
Burke called MKO to concede last night. She has a victory post up on socials. Although it isn’t called yet, both parties seem to think it is in the bag.

Comment by MadManMad Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:18 am
“[Hart] was a hard-working candidate that didn’t embrace extremism.”

Except when he very much did, e.g. https://capitolfax.com/2022/02/08/the-insane-absurdity-over-rep-conroys-bill-escalates-to-animals/ and https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2022/02/08/death-threats-and-disunity-00006590

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:26 am
I remember going to the Drury Lane in Oakbrook, Duckworth’s 2006 election night HQ in Congressional race loss to Peter Roskam. As a long time resident, couldn’t believe the large number of Democrats all in one place in then overwhelming Republican strong DuPage. Well, 26 yrs later and how DuPage County has changed. Congratulations to Deborah Conroy.

Comment by Product of the '60's Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:37 am
Err….it was 16 yrs ago that Tammy lost to Roskam….can’t seem to subtract

Comment by Product of the '60's Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:40 am
Congratulations to Deb Conroy, total class act.

Comment by The Way I See It Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 11:02 am
Congrats to Rep. Conroy. To Dupage County Democrats and Senate Dems, can we at least challenge Sheriff Mendrick and Sen. Curran next time around?

Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 11:09 am
Ann Maine for Lake County Board #3. She’s an independent force of nature who knows her district well (despite being through multiple redistrictings). A true public servant and role model for others. Not even R incompetence in recent years could wipe her out

Comment by Middle Way Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 11:30 am
@Blue to the Bone

I’ve lived in Kane County since I was in elementary school, and to see the county board becoming so blue is a welcome change.

Comment by Techie Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 11:34 am
Does anyone know where I can find the MWRD results? I voted for a green in that one because he seemed to have some relevant experience.

Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 11:37 am
@cermak_rd

https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2022/illinois-general-results

The Green lost by a substantial margin. I don’t know anything about the race, but in general it would be nice to see them build up their party.

Comment by Techie Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 11:57 am
Congrats to Conroy, the Cronins are no longer in charge.

Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 12:10 pm
Thanks techie, and sorry everyone I think I meant for this to go in open comments and not here.

Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 1:24 pm
Here in the NW Suburbs, a group of advocates won a referendum question to establish a township mental health board. It narrowly won in part because a PAC was formed to oppose it funded by $25,000 from Uihlein. The Chair of that committee is also the treasurer for Common Sense Reforms.

The advocates worked hard and pulled out a win. I’m glad to see our tax dollars go to helping people in need, and beating Uihlein was the cherry on top.

Comment by Panther Pride Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 1:25 pm
The Downers Grove District 58 referrendum passed by better than a 2-1 margin. Great news for our kids. But I am worried about the Darien District 66 referendum. Out of about 5,700 votes cast, it is losing by 9 (yes, 9) at the moment. I worry what will happen to Darien if the schools go in the tank. Nobody wants to buy a house in a town with bad schools.

Comment by Nathan H Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:06 pm
Congrats to Conroy. Had a discussion with her once about a vote she had taken, and she was very interesting in hearing my opinion as to why her vote as wrong. We parted with her saying something like “I hope we’re on the same side next time”, and so we are.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:08 pm