Two DuPage forest preserve commissioners holding off challengers

Most DuPage County forest preserve commissioners had a good night Tuesday.

Two incumbents were headed to reelection, while a third was locked in a tight contest, according to unofficial vote totals just after 9:30 p.m. Before Tuesday, Democrats held three of the six commissioner seats, plus the board president position. Here’s a race-by-race look:

District 3

Republican Linda Painter appeared to fend off a challenge from former Darien alderman Lester Vaughan in their District 3 matchup.

Painter captured 40,643 votes compared to 35,370 for Vaughan, unofficial tallies showed.

Vaughan said he was running because it’s “time for a new voice of leadership” in the district, situated in the southeastern corner of the county. Calling climate change one of the “existential threats” to forest preserve and green spaces, Vaughn said he would advocate for programs that invest in renewable energy.

Painter, who was first elected in 2008, has called for a tranquility garden at Waterfall Glen that would be accessible to people who use wheelchairs.

Weighing in on the district’s historic properties, Painter said “it’s a fine line between too many and not enough.” One such structure is the empty Greene Farm barn at Hobson and Greene roads near Naperville.

“It would be really, really, really expensive to get it usable for people to get into and make it accessible inside, but to have that on the corner … it means a lot to the neighborhood,” Painter said.

District 4

Wheaton Democrat Jeff Gahris was on his way to a third term representing central DuPage on the commission.

Gahris garnered 37,662 votes while his Republican rival, Jeff Castle, had 33,883 late Tuesday.

Gahris said his focus is on the restoration of natural areas, acquiring some additional green space “where appropriate” and sustainability.

Both candidates supported the district’s bid for a property tax increase to generate more than $17 million in additional annual revenue. The funding would, among other things, allow the district to buy more land. Voters last approved a district referendum question in 2006.

“We were able to do a lot with our resources financially over the years. Inflation is taking a bite out of it now, as most people know, but we get so much value for the investment in our natural areas,” Gahris said.

Castle, a Milton Township trustee, made the case for turnover on the board and criticized the district for purchasing prefabricated structures from an Oregon manufacturer to install flush toilet facilities in some preserves.

“I think that that was somewhat irresponsible. They’re the size of a one-car garage,” Castle said.

Gahris said officials went through several iterations trying to get the cost down.

“I didn’t like the prices either, but … it’s not just building a structure,” he explained. “There’s utilities. They’re remote locations.”

District 6

Incumbent Al Murphy and Democratic challenger Rick Gieser were neck and neck late Tuesday.

Murphy held a slight edge with 35,562 votes versus 35,466 for Gieser, a Carol Stream village trustee — a difference of 96 votes, according to unofficial results.

Gieser wants to see additional trails. He has said he’s uniquely qualified for the role as a communications professional. A survey found residents “want the commissioners to do a better job to get the word out to them.”

“I will be an ambassador,” said Gieser, who’s worked in broadcasting and public relations.

Murphy is a hardware store owner from West Chicago and a former city alderman.

“I have residents frequently come in to see me with problems and questions at the forest preserve, and I’m there for them as a resource,” said Murphy, who was first elected commissioner a decade ago.

Murphy has pushed for a connector bridge over the West Branch of the DuPage River and Roosevelt Road. He’s a self-described believer in the “90/10” policy: leaving 90% of land for preservation and 10% for recreation.

“I’ve got a track record already … We’ve kept your taxes low,” Murphy said. “We’ve kept the preserves open, and we’ve grown the preserves.”