McConnaughay fends off challenger for Kane board chair
Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay trounced her upstart Republican challenger in Tuesday's primary election, unofficial election results show.
McConnaughay, of St. Charles, was on her way to winning the GOP nomination with 67 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results, while GOP challenger Jim MacRunnels of Elburn took 33 percent with all precincts reporting.
According to McConnaughay, her primary election win indicates voters support her leadership and her pledge to maintain Kane County's desirable quality of life.
"We're very grateful to the voters who validated and supported the direction and the priorities the county has placed on preserving and enhancing the quality of life in Kane County," McConnaughay said.
MacRunnels, a financial planner with no political experience, campaigned on lowering taxes and reducing the county budget.
McConnaughay, who is seeking a second 4-year term, will face Democrat Sandy Kaczmarski in the Nov. 4 general election. McConnaughay has been a county board member since 1992.
The board chairman presides over the 26-member county board, which controls a $275 million budget that oversees the county jail and judiciary, county roads and bridges and the Kane County Sheriff's Office.
During her campaign, McConnaughay touted her planning experience in improving the county's transportation infrastructure, ensuring a sustainable water supply and increasing the availability of affordable housing -- three issues she identified as the most important Kane County faces.
Perhaps the most controversial project undertaken during her administration, the $58 million county jail scheduled to open later this year in St. Charles Township, will stand as a big part of McConnaughay's legacy as board chairman.
McConnaughay, a seasoned fundraiser, amassed nearly twice as much money as MacRunnels during the most recent financial filing period. Her war chest totaled $43,470 between July 1 and Dec. 31, campaign finance records show.
McConnaughay was endorsed by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and earned the support of many local businesses and labor unions.
MacRunnels was backed by the Carpentersville-based Family Taxpayers Network, a conservative political group headed by Barrington businessman Jack Roeser.