Gottemoller top vote-getter for GOP in McHenry Board District 3

Newcomer Joseph Gottemoller was the top vote-getter among the eight people vying for four spots in the Republican primary for McHenry County Board’s District 3, while incumbent Mary Donner lost her bid for re-election.

In unofficial tallies, Gottemoller, 54, of Crystal Lake, who works as an attorney and has served as trustee for the McHenry County Conservation District, got 17.85 percent of the vote.

Those who also secured a spot on the November ballot are board member Nick Provenzano, 50, of McHenry, who got 17.26 percent of votes; attorney and organic farmer Michael Walkup, 62, of Crystal Lake, who got 14.78 percent of votes; and attorney Mary McClellan, 47, of Holiday Hills, who got 12.79 percent of votes.

Donner, 61, of Crystal Lake, who works as a community relations representative, was first elected in 2006.

Gottemoller said he believes voters’ discontent with the county board’s recent property tax levy increase propelled him and other newcomers forward.

Others who ran were Mary Alger, 52, of Crystal Lake, who serves as coordinator for the Crystal Lake Tea Party; Linda Orphal, 60, of Crystal Lake, who works as a development manager and served on the county board representing District 2 from 2000 to 2010; Jim Schlader, 62, of McHenry, who works as a project manager and serves as trustee for Nunda Township.

Also running in the November general election are Democrats Kathleen Bergan Schmidt, a current board member, and Lori J. McConville.