Without party support, Kordik gets GOP nod for 46th House seat

Despite not garnering the backing of most of the local GOP establishment, political veteran Dan Kordik defeated an election newcomer in the Republican race for the 46th House District.

Kordik, a Villa Park attorney and York Township clerk, bested John “Chip” Humes, an Addison funeral director, 55 percent to 45 percent, according to unofficial vote totals.

Kordik will face Democrat Deborah O'Keefe Conroy of Elmhurst in the November general election.

Kordik, 52, argued that his experience in elective office, educational background in accounting, and community involvement make him best-suited to represent the district. He was a member of the Villa Park Elementary District 45 school board from 1988 to 1995 and the village's planning and zoning commission from 1999 to 2010. He's also been a Republican committeeman since 1994.

Though Humes was making his first run for public office, he had the political backing of several heavy hitters of the local Republican establishment, including House Minority Leader Tom Cross, DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and State's Attorney Bob Berlin.

“I think the voters chose experience,” Kordik said. “It's every voter that counts and not necessarily the hierarchy of the party.”

Humes, 29, said during the campaign that he was hoping voters would look to his private sector experience, such as being director of his family's Humes Funeral Home and as former president of the Addison Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The 46th District includes portions of Addison, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Oakbrook Terrace and Villa Park.