Democrats looking to widen majority on Lake County Board

Thirteen of 19 Lake County Board seats are on the ballot Nov. 3, and a change in membership is assured as one Democrat and three Republican incumbents aren’t seeking reelection.

Whether that translates to a bump in the 14-5 Democrat majority is to be determined. Dems already picked up a seat as no Republican was slated in District 3. After 24 years on the board, incumbent Republican seatholder Ann Maine is not seeking reelection.

Six races are contested, with three of them involving Democratic incumbents defending their seats. The other three have new candidates from both parties on the ballot.

County board members also serve as forest preserve commissioners. Here’s a recap of who is running where.

District 1

Republican John Muellner faces Democrat Jose Martinez for a two-year term representing District 1, which includes parts of Antioch, Lindenhurst, Old Mill Creek and Wadsworth.

The seat is open because Republican Linda Pedersen, who has represented the area since 2008, is not seeking reelection.

Muellner is a former educator from Antioch who works for the nonprofit Americans for Prosperity. Martinez, who has worked for 26 years as a Metra conductor, was elected to the Antioch village board last year.

Muellner says working families, retirees, small business owners and longtime residents are feeling the strain of high taxes, rising costs and a county government that “too often overreaches.” He said fiscal responsibility, including eliminating wasteful spending, is his main motivation for running.

Martinez, a self-described “blue-collar union man,” says his experiences give him a firsthand understanding of what working families, seniors and local businesses face everyday. He says he will work to promote fiscal responsibility, increase transparency in government and advocate for policies that support economic growth while protecting taxpayers.

District 10

Democrat Nicki Sullivan and Republican Jeff Issel are vying for a four-year term representing District 10, which includes Indian Creek and portions of Hawthorn Woods, Lake Zurich, Long Grove, Mundelein, and Vernon Hills.

After eight years in office, Democrat Jessica Vealitzek of Hawthorn Woods is not seeking reelection.

Sullivan, of Mundelein, served seven years on the Diamond Lake Elementary District 76 school board. Issel, also a Mundelein resident, is a committeeman and vice chair for the Fremont Township Republicans.

Sullivan said years of community advocacy have taught her the importance of asking questions, doing the research, working with people who don’t always agree and speaking up when something doesn’t make sense. Making county government more responsive and easier to navigate are priorities, she said.

Issel said he would focus on making county government more efficient, controlling spending and “identifying responsible ways” to increase revenue without placing additional burden on taxpayers. The county needs to identify gaps in services, eliminate waste and duplication, and make better use of the resources taxpayers already provide, he added.

District 16

Incumbent Democrat Esiah Campos is seeking reelection to his seat representing District 16, which includes Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights and portions of Round Lake and Round Lake Park.

Challenging Campos for the two-year term is Republican political newcomer Katherine Rodriguez of Round Lake.

Since being elected in 2022, Campos said his priorities have been investing in infrastructure, supporting immigrant families, ensuring working men and women have a strong voice and fair representation, and “making life more affordable for everyone.”

Rodriguez said she spent 18 years working with special needs children and several years serving the elderly community.

She would bring “a vital, underrepresented perspective” to the county board with a “real-world commitment” to holding the line on taxes and safeguarding essential county services, she said.

District 17

Political newcomers Republican Joe Salvi and Democrat Mary Mesa are running for the District 17 seat currently held by Republican Michael Danforth.

Danforth has represented the district, which covers Barrington and other communities along the county’s far south and west borders, since 2017 but is not seeking reelection.

Salvi, an attorney from Barrington, said he is primarily motivated by the rising cost of living that is squeezing everyday people.

He wants to make Lake County a place “where families can stay, grow and build their futures,” Salvi said, adding that his priorities include making county government more accountable to taxpayers and focused on affordability.

Mesa, a business executive from Lake Barrington, said she is running to leave the county in a stronger position for the next generation by supporting safe neighborhoods, protecting the environment and natural spaces, providing access to public services and maintaining the county’s strong financial rating.

Responsible growth and environmental stewardship don’t have to be competing goals, she added.

District 19

Incumbent Democrat Marah Altenberg of Buffalo Grove is being challenged by Republican Nicole Ziomek, a precinct committeeperson from Long Grove.

Altenberg, a small business owner and former journalist, said keeping communities safe, easing the tax burden, addressing rising costs and limiting the impact of data centers are priorities.

As chair of the county board’s planning, building, zoning and environment committee, Altenberg said she has led on sustainability, climate change, stormwater management, the county’s carbon footprint and other issues.

Ziomek said fiscal responsibility, transparency and protecting quality of life are priorities, along with finding ways to reduce waste and improve efficiency, and ease unnecessary burdens on residents. She added that open spaces should be protected while supporting responsible development.

District 19 includes Deer Park, Wheeling and portions of Buffalo Grove, Kildeer, Lake Zurich and Long Grove.

District 9

In District 9, which covers parts of Waukegan and North Chicago, Democrat Brandon X. Ewing is seeking a full term after being appointed to fill the seat of the late Mary Ross Cunningham.

Ewing is being challenged by write-in candidate Dashawna O. Phifer. The Republican candidate, Jorge E. Sanchez, was removed from the ballot.

mzawislak@dailyherald.com