Wehrli secures Republican nod for DuPage County forest seat

Republican incumbent Mary Lou Wehrli secured her party's nomination to continue serving the DuPage Forest Preserve District representing parts of Aurora, Lisle, Naperville and Warrenville.

Wehrli totaled 10,803 votes in Tuesday's primary while challenger Carl Schultz got 8,849, according to unofficial election results with all 144 precincts reporting.

"I think people recognize someone who serves from the heart and not someone who's going for the power," said Wehrli, 62. "I'm grateful for their confidence."

Wehrli stands likely to retain the seat she has held since 2012 as no Democrat has filed to run in the Nov. 8 general election to represent District 5.

Wehrli's victory prevented Schultz from reclaiming the seat he held from 2002 to 2012. Moving forward, she wants to develop stronger collaboration with fellow commissioners, who did not support her campaign.

"I want to understand the culture of why they felt that way and I want to develop better relationships so we can work together much better going forward," she said.