Republican leaves race to replace Petersen

Republican voters won't have a ballot choice in the Feb. 5 primary for the district where retiring state Sen. William Peterson of Long Grove has been serving.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Rod Drobinski has officially withdrawn from the GOP's 26th District Senate primary. The Wauconda resident filed the documents with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Drobinski's withdrawal leaves Lake Barrington resident Dan Duffy as the lone Republican on the ballot for the state Senate primary. Duffy, 41, is a data management executive.

Peterson, a 71-year-old Republican, did not endorse either Drobinski or Duffy after they officially entered the race last week. He said both men were good candidates.

On the Democratic side, voters will choose between Round Lake Mayor Bill Gentes and Richard Hammes of North Barrington in the Feb. 5 primary.

Boundaries for the 26th District stretch from Libertyville Township in Lake County west to Nunda, McHenry and Dorr townships in McHenry County. The 26th District also dips south into part of Palatine Township in Cook County.