Kane coroner candidate becomes a Democrat

The Kane County Democrats slated three candidates for the November election this week, including one who switched parties to run.

Stan Hickrod, who ran in the Republican primary for Kane County coroner four years ago, will challenge incumbent Chuck West again, but this time as a Democrat.

On Thursday, the Sleepy Hollow funeral director said the position wasn't a partisan one.

"If you need a coroner, do you care if they're a Republican or a Democrat?" he said. "Or do you care that they have the knowledge, compassion and care for the job?"

Kane County Democratic Central Committee Chairman Mark Guethle said Hickrod was unanimously slated.

"He seems to have the drive and the knowledge of the post," Guethle said. "He wants to work hard, he wants to knock on doors."

Hickrod finished second in a contentious three-way Republican primary in 2004, but West was far ahead of the two other finishers.

He said he didn't want to talk about his platform until issuing a news release next week.

Ed Nendick of Aurora will face Circuit Court Clerk Deborah Seyller in the November election.

Nendick is a former precinct committeeman who ran unsuccessfully for an Aurora City Council seat last year.

A business owner and former Air Force reservist, he said his management, community and military experience qualified him for the job.

Rachel Shattuck, who is slated to run against state Rep. Tim Schmitz of Batavia in November, could not be reached for comment Thursday.