It's official: Hartwell wins GOP primary for judge seat by 44 votes
Thomas Hartwell won the Republican nomination for a countywide judge seat in the 16th Judicial Circuit by 44 votes, according to results made official this week.
Hartwell, who currently serves as Kane County circuit court clerk, tallied 11,980 votes compared to 11,936 for Elizabeth Flood, a former Kane County assistant state's attorney and associate judge since 2013.
David Kliment, a former Kane County public defender and associate judge, finished a distant third in the March 20 primary.
Unless Flood asks for and wins a recount, Hartwell will face Democrat Mike Noland, a former state senator from Elgin, in the Nov. 6 general election.
Hartwell said Wednesday he expects the results to stand if Flood opts for a recount and he is looking forward to the fall campaign.
"I appreciate the great campaigns by Judge Flood and Judge Kliment. I also appreciate all the support I got," Hartwell said. "I'm moving forward, the (election) results have been certified."
Flood said late last week in a post to her Facebook followers that she was waiting until the results were official before deciding her next move. She could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
Kane Circuit Judge David Akemann has announced he will retire and step down in early December, just as the new countywide circuit judge takes the oath of office.
Circuit judges are elected and in addition to overseeing their courtrooms, help set policy and appoint associate judges. Kane County has 14 circuit judges and 17 associate judges.
No Democrat has ever won a countywide judge seat in the 16th Circuit.