Elgin Twp. Democrats now lined up for April fight

Will the President Obama effect carry over from November to the April 7 local elections?

The candidates who advanced in the Democratic primary for Elgin Township trustee aren't counting on it if they want to unseat some Republicans on April 7.

"If you're not out there working for it, you're not going to get it. The township has been owned by Republicans," said Ana Ortiz, one of four Democrats to earn their party's nomination for the spring race. "I'm definitely going to have to walk more than ever now."

With all precincts reporting, unofficial results show that Ortiz, Carol Rauschenberger, Deborah Willis and William Becker will contend for four Elgin Township trustee seats. Democrats Steve Corn and Hidayat Khan failed to make the cut.

"What were going to have to do between now and the (April) election is help the public understand what the township does, how it functions and how it can function better," said Rauschenberger, who finished first with 574 votes, or 22 percent.

According to unofficial vote totals, Willis garnered 501 votes, followed by Ortiz with 484 and Becker with 412, Kane County Clerik Jack Cunningham said.

Corn took home 375 votes and Khan tallied 225.

The April 7 ballot will have 11 total choices for the four seats, including: Republicans Robert "Bob" Johnson, Patrick Hudgens, Vicki Pelock and Steve Thoren; and Green Party candidates Bradley Kairis, Julie Schmitt and Dan Todd.