McConnaughay retains Kane County chairman seat

Karen McConnaughay had just about every advantage possible heading into Tuesday night's election for Kane County Board Chairman.

She was the Republican incumbent in a county that has had only Republican chairmen in recent years. She had more money to spend on the race. She had more name recognition and the political record to back up her promises and reach out to voters.

All that culminated in one of the few decisive Republican victories on the Illinois ballot Tuesday.

McConnaughay appeared well on her way to retaining her spot as chairman with 299 of 299 precincts reporting Tuesday night. Unofficial vote totals had 93,415 votes for McConnaughay to 80,204 votes for her opponent Sandy Kaczmarski. That's a 54 percent to 46 percent margin of victory in favor of McConnaughay.

Kaczmarski actually won the city of Aurora by more than 7,000 votes, according to unofficial results.

Kaczmarski watched the election returns with her husband at home Tuesday night.

"I'm disappointed that the wasteful spending will continue," Kaczmarski said. "Until we get some of these wasteful spenders out, this will continue. I will continue to be active in the Kane County Democratic Party."

She plans to return to freelance writing and hopes to rejuvenate her broadcasting career as well.

McConnaughay was unreachable for comment Tuesday night. For her next term as chairman, her immediate struggle will be looming budget problems with tax income on the decline and salaries and benefit expenses on the rise.