DuPage Dems trying to break GOP's stranglehold

Democrats in DuPage County flooded the ballot this year looking to wrestle away some of the Republican Party's long-held single-party dominance over county politics.

After more Democratic ballots were pulled in the February primary than Republican ballots, the upstart party found several candidates to fill spots on the ballot that were previously blank.

Not to be outdone, there is even a Green Party candidate seeking a county board seat for the first time this year.

Here's a quick look at some of the county board races where voters will be asked to pick two candidates as well as two forest preserve races.

District 1

Republican incumbents Paul Fichtner and Yolanda Campuzano are being challenged by Democrats Rifat Sivisoglu and Rita Gonzalez.

Fichtner, of Elmhurst, touts his fiscal responsibility during his tenure on the board, and Campuzano, of Addison, said her highlights include boosting health care resources in the county.

Sivisoglu, of Elmhurst, wants to bring more transparency to local government if elected and Gonzalez, of Addison, said she will serve the working class as a county board member.

District 2

Democratic challenger Max Havlick and Barbara Dahl, both of Villa Park, hope to unseat Lombard Republican incumbent Patrick O'Shea and Elmhurst Republican incumbent Brien Sheahan.

Both Havlick and Dahl said they will not be a rubber stamp for any party if elected, but will provide a voice for residents who have been unrepresented under Republican rule of the county board.

Sheahan said his record of independent voting shows he's not anyone's pawn. O'Shea has been on the board since 1990 and is chairman of the board's powerful finance committee.

District 4

Voters will have five choices in this race thanks to Green Party candidate William Edgar of Wheaton who is challenging Republican incumbents Debra Olson and Grant Eckhoff along with Democrats Richard Dunn and Dan Bailey.

Edgar said last year's doomsday county budget that was averted because of a sales tax hike was his main motivation for seeking office.

Glen Ellyn resident Dunn is the only District 4 candidate who doesn't live in Wheaton and has been one of the few challengers to attend most, if not all, county board meetings since announcing his candidacy. Bailey has unsuccessfully sought this office four previous times and wants to make the county more affordable for working families.

Olson and Eckhoff both say they are often the voices of dissension on the board and vote independently.

District 5

Incumbent James Healy is attempting to hold onto his seat, while fellow Republican Gerry Cassioppi is hoping to join him on the board. Democratic challenger Tony Michelassi is attempting to play spoiler. Both Republicans are Naperville residents and Michelassi calls Aurora home.

Healy has campaigned on his record of fiscal responsibility and role as budget watchdog. Cassioppi has frequently attended board meetings since announcing his candidacy and said better planning is necessary in the budgeting process.

At 23, Michelassi is the youngest candidate seeking county office. He said he'd find new avenues to raise revenue for the county without raising taxes or service fees.

District 6

Democratic challenger Dirk Enger is squaring off against Republican incumbent James Zay and newcomer Robert Larsen.

Enger is from Winfield and supports more programs for homeless residents and affordable housing ventures.

Zay is a Carol Stream resident who championed new laws this year to prohibit alcohol consumption at strip clubs in the county. Larsen is from Wheaton and believes the county government should focus on core services like public safety and keeping taxes low.

Forest Preserve

Republican incumbent DuPage County Forest Preserve commissioners from District 1 and District 5 are also facing challenges from Democrats.

District 1 incumbent Marsha Murphy of Addison is squaring off against fellow Addison resident Michael Braun. Murphy believes her voting record on land acquisitions to improve flooding problems in the county highlight her six years on the board. Braun said he wants to bring a different voice to the Republican-controlled board.

Democrat Steve Paglia of Naperville is challenging incumbent Carl Schultz of Aurora. Paglia said his background in ecology and biology would be beneficial to the board. Schultz said his work at securing alternative revenue streams has helped keep taxes low for all DuPage residents.