Kotecki wins GOP nod in DuPage forest Dist. 6

Kotecki :

A longtime DuPage County Forest Preserve commissioner beat back a vigorous challenge from a West Chicago city councilman in the race for the GOP nomination in District 6.

With 100 percent of the votes tallied Tuesday, incumbent Roger Kotecki had 55 percent of the votes and Al Murphy had 45 percent, according to unofficial results.

The results show voters "are happy with the forest preserve district," said Kotecki, an attorney from Warrenville.

Kotecki, who lost his mother during the peak of the campaign last month, said he plans to take some time "to rest, recuperate and move ahead from there."

He will face Democrat Shannon Burns of West Chicago in the November general election.

During the campaign, the candidates sparred over land use, spending and whether Kotecki's 20 years as a commissioner is long enough.

"We need a change," said Murphy, a hardware store owner. His ideas included more trails, more access points, longer hours and lower taxes.

Kotecki, who volunteers as a prairie steward, said his top priority is to preserve, protect, restock and restore the land.

"Our job is primarily to provide natural areas and the benefits those bestow," he said.

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<li><a href="/news/politics/elections/2010/primary/race/?id=199">More on DuPage Co. Forest Preserve Board Dist. 6 race</a></li>

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