Newcomer Frasz topples Carlson in Kane Dist. 26

A political newcomer defeated longtime Kane County Board member Jan Carlson in the District 26 Republican primary Tuesday.

Drew Frasz, 51, of LaFox had 45.9 percent of the vote, with all precincts counted. Carlson had 42.6 percent of the unofficial vote totals.

Frasz faces no Democratic challengers in November's general election.

"The race was democracy in its purest form. You can go up against a well-heeled incumbent and still win," Frasz said.

Through Dec. 31, Frasz had spent $15,606 on his campaign, according to a required campaign funding disclosure report filed with the state board of elections. Almost $10,000 of that was from loans he made to his campaign. Overall, Frasz had $19,205 in available money.

Carlson spent $12,720 in the same period, out of $28,094 raised. None were from loans.

Carlson, 71, of Elburn has been on the county board for 11 years. Before that, he was Kane County circuit court clerk for 33 years.

Frasz was active with a group that opposed the Grand Prairie subdivision, which would have dwarfed the unincorporated LaFox area. He and residents eventually worked with developers, starting in 2004, resulting in the Settlements of La Fox project. The plan calls for fewer homes and more open space than Grand Prairie. The county board approved the plan in 2007.

Frasz contended that Carlson did not provide enough of the assistance residents wanted in the fight against Grand Prairie and did not represent the wishes of his constituents on the proposed Prairie Parkway highway for western Kane County.

Carlson countered that Grand Prairie was never going to be approved by the county, and that he found out through behind-the-scenes contact with St. Charles city officials that it was in no real danger of being annexed by St. Charles. He also said that he had suggested that residents and the developer work together on a plan.

Carlson also said that he preferred to work with the planners of the Prairie Parkway to come up with a design that has the least impact on his district, in case protesters are not successful in stopping the highway.

Frasz attributed his win to the hard work of his campaigners.

"It was shoe leather and sore knuckles," Frasz said.