GOP races dominate DuPage primary
DuPage County Republican voters will have more choices in the voting booth Tuesday than their Democratic counterparts. And, voters in four communities will have a say in local projects.
Local GOP voters will be choosing sides in a bevy of primary battles. However, only two Democratic county races feature multiple candidates, and in one of those races one candidate dropped out after the ballots were printed.
The big local race of the night for DuPage Republicans is the four-way fight for the DuPage County Board Chairman's nod. The race features state Sen. Dan Cronin, Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, District 4 county board member Debra Olson and state Sen. Carole Pankau.
The four candidates spent much of the race attacking each other's financial records and campaign promises, while occasionally throwing in their thoughts on job creation and economic development stimulus. The winner will face Democrat Carole Cheney in November.
Republican incumbent Sheriff John Zaruba is facing a primary challenge from retired DuPage deputy Mike Quiroz. No Democrat has been slated, and it's unclear if the Democrats will challenge the Republican winner in November.
DuPage voters will also have less ballot questions to deal today than in previous years.
Carol Stream voters are being asked to support a $37 million park district plan for a new recreation center and other park improvements. Supporters say approval won't result in a tax increase, it will only keep tax rates at the current level for a longer period of time. Property owners could expect to see a $30 tax cut in 2020 if the question fails.
Villa Park voters are being asked to support a $27.5 million street improvement plan that would be paid for by a half-percent increase to the village's sales tax rate. The project would resurface or pave a third of the village's streets.
Property tax increase requests will also be decided by voters to improve the Winfield library, as will residents living in an unincorporated part of the county covered by Bensenville Fire Protection District No. 1.
The retirement of State Rep. Bob Biggins of Elmhurst is opening up his seat for the first time since 1993. Five Republicans - Matt Burden, Michael Manzo, Chris Nybo, Rafael Rivadeneira and Brien Sheahan - are vying to replace him. The GOP winner will face Democrat Brian Stephenson in November.
The county board is also losing one of its longest-serving members, Linda Kurzawa. The Winfield Republican has held the seat in District 6 since 1992 and is a longtime member of the county's board of health as well. Three Republicans are angling for their party's nomination to replace her. Voters will choose among Paul Darrah, Matt Fuesting and Bob Larsen to run against Democrat Dave Barry in November. The district includes all or parts of West Chicago, Bartlett, Wayne, Winfield, Wheaton, Carol Stream, Warrenville, Hanover Park, Streamwood and Bloomingdale.
Republican District 3 voters will also have three new names to choose from for the county board seat that was vacated by Kyle Gilgis in late 2009. Republicans Greg Abbott, Dennis Brennan and Brian Krajewski are vying to face Democrat Karol Sole in the November general election. That district includes all or parts of Downers Grove, Westmont, Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Lisle, Darien, Bolingbrook and Lemont.
DuPage's District 4 features primaries for Republican and Democrat races for a county board seat and forest preserve seat. However, Democrat Tom Grimston was seeking the Democratic nomination for the county board seat in that district until he dropped out in early January and threw his support to fellow Democrat Tom Wendorf. Grimston's name will still appear on the ballot. County board incumbent JR McBride is facing a challenge from Brad Webb.
The Republican District 4 forest preserve race features incumbent Mike Formento and former Wheaton Mayor Jim Carr, while Democratic voters will choose between political newcomers Eric Bergman and Don Kirchenberg. District 4 includes all or parts of Wheaton, Winfield, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights and Lombard.
Republicans are also being asked to choose between recently appointed District 5 county board member John Zediker and challenger Joe Wozniak as well as District 6 forest preserve incumbent Roger Kotecki versus challenger Al Murphy.