Pedersen leading in Lake 1st District

Linda Pedersen holds a late edge in the tight race for the Lake County Board District 1 seat.

Pedersen, a 58-year-old Republican from Antioch, leads Democratic Challenger Peter Grant in the District 1 race, unofficial vote totals show. With ballots in all 29 precincts counted, Pedersen had 7,554 votes to Grant's 7,317, with a portion of the early votes counted.

If Pedersen holds on, she would take over for longtime Lake County Board Member Judy Martini, who is retiring from public office.

Pedersen works as a legislative aide for state Rep. Jo Ann D. Osmond of Antioch. She also serves as an Antioch Township trustee.

Pedersen attributed her success to understanding the issues and separating herself from her challenger in the final weeks of the campaign.

Grant, a 54-year-old truck driver from Antioch, went on the offensive in the final weeks of the campaign, sending out fliers that questioned the amount of money Pedersen pays in property taxes. It claims Pedersen gets a tax rebate for farming, despite the fact she doesn't own a farm.

However, Pedersen said she farms hay on her property, and has been doing so for more than 20 years.

District 1 includes Antioch and portions of Lake Villa and Fox Lake.