Sheriff reverses course, backs Regna for state's attorney

In a surprising shift from his prior stance, influential McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren announced Thursday he is endorsing Daniel Regna over incumbent State's Attorney Louis Bianchi in next month's Republican primary.

Nygren, one of Bianchi's chief supporters in his 2004 campaign, said he no longer believes the incumbent is the best person for the job.

"I'm not going to say anything bad about Mr. Bianchi," the sheriff said, "But I think (Regna) is the best choice."

Nygren made the announcement Thursday after initially giving signs over the summer he would support Bianchi. More recently, however, Nygren has pulled back from the Bianchi camp, saying just last month he believes both men were qualified and he planned to stay neutral.

The sheriff, however, said he decided to make a public endorsement of Regna, a former prosecutor under previous State's Attorney Gary Pack, at the urging of other law enforcement officers.

"I had so many calls from not only police administrators, but rank-and-file men and women who work on the street, asking me to support (Regna)," Nygren said. "I felt compelled to say something."

Regna, a Woodstock resident who now works in private practice, reveled in the endorsement Thursday from one of the county's most powerful political figures.

"Sheriff Nygren is greatly respected by the voters of this county," Regna said. "I believe his endorsement will have a huge impact."

Bianchi, who touted Nygren's backing four years ago, played down the significance of the endorsement Thursday and instead noted his support from state legislators, County Board Chairman Ken Koehler and a majority of the McHenry County Board.

"This office will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies across the county for the good of the citizens," he said.

What makes Nygren's endorsement all the more surprising was that four years ago he and Regna publicly clashed over letters sent to dozens of sheriff's deputies seeking support for Bianchi opponent Glenn Gable.

Regna, a Gable supporter, sent the letters, which claimed deputies should have concerns over having someone closely aligned with Nygren in the state's attorney's office.

Both men said Thursday that dispute is in their past.

"He apologized for that and it's behind us," Nygren said.