Newcomer Starrett topples Van Cleave in Kane District 10

Political newcomer Susan Starrett showed a two-term incumbent the door Tuesday on her way to securing the Republican nomination for Kane County Board District 10.

With all precincts reporting, unofficial results show the 39-year-old North Aurora resident with 1,456 votes compared to 1,003 for Thomas Van Cleave.

“The No. 1 thing is I truly care about the job,” Starrett said. “I have made the promise every time to freeze or lower taxes. That's something that's very important to people. We're not in a great economy right now.”

While Tuesday's election sought to name the Republican for the fall ballot, some may see it as the de facto election for the county board seat. No Democrat has filed to run for District 10 on the November ballot.

Van Cleave, a 62-year-old Batavia resident who also serves as vice chairman on the county board, also said his top priority was reducing property taxes. Tuesday was the first election he lost for county board and Batavia Unit District 101 board.

“The voters made it clear,” he said. “I congratulate Susan and good luck to her. There's going to be a lot of new faces on the board, a new chairman and many challenges.”

Starrett also said her top issue was property taxes and she would work more toward cooperating with county department heads and regularly attend board meetings.

Attendance, or lack thereof, from numerous board members was an issue brought up by outgoing-Chairman Karen McConnaughay several months ago.

Starrett acknowledged she was a little surprised by Tuesday's result, but said she had positive feeling after going door-to-door.

“He's an incumbent who's been around for a long time,” she said. “I knew it would be an uphill battle for me.”