Sauer, 29, wins nomination in Lake County Board Dist. 17

The old Republican guard in District 17 of the Lake County Board will have a new generation of leadership with the election Tuesday of Lake Barrington resident Nick Sauer.

With all 28 precincts reporting, unofficial results showed Sauer with 2,135 votes, ahead of retired Wauconda Police Chief Dan Quick, with 802 and Wauconda Township Trustee Mary Schorr with 450.

Sauer, 29, has been on the Barrington Unit District 220 school board since 2009 and is a partner in a family-owned business. With about $30,000 in campaign donations, he had far more resources than the other candidates.

That support and a healthy list of endorsements, including the Republican county board members from two neighboring districts, apparently helped secure victory for Sauer over the more experienced and well-known Quick.

“I’m really humbled and honored that I will be the nominee. We walked over 3,000 houses in the district and gave out literature. I think that made a big difference, to talk to the voters,” Sauer said.

Sauer said his message resonated with voters, including his focus on issues like Route 53 and maintaining the aquifer recharge areas for residents on well water.

Quick, 57, who spent 30 years in public service including positions as Wauconda’s village administrator and police chief, wished Sauer well.

“He’s a nice young man,” he said. “I understand that the voters spoke. That’s how it works.”

No Democrat was on the primary ballot but the party can field a candidate in the November general election.

The District 17 seat in southwestern Lake County has held by Republican Stevenson Mountsier of Lake Barrington for the past 15 years.