Mendoza leading in bid to be re-elected state comptroller

Incumbent state Comptroller Susana Mendoza of Chicago jumped out to a substantial lead in her bid to be reelected, according to early, unofficial results.

The Associated Press reported that, with 74% of votes counted, Democrat Mendoza had 2.03 million votes as of midnight to Shannon Teresi's 1.4 million. Teresi, A Republican from Crystal Lake, is McHenry County's auditor

During this campaign, Mendoza, who had previously been the Chicago city clerk and a state representative, had touted her work eliminating the state's $16.7 billion bill backlog she inherited as a result of a more than two-year budget stalemate between former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democrat-controlled legislature.

Teresi had campaigned on her credentials as an accountant and said she would act as a check and balance on other statewide offices held by Democrats.

The comptroller maintains the state's checkbook, overseeing payments and issues warrants for any funds held by the treasurer.