Palatine Twp. sees crowded field of GOP candidates

Nearly 20 Republicans divided into three slates have filed to run for office in Palatine Township, with the widespread interest prompting a primary election on Feb. 26.

Exactly who the winners will face in the April 9 general election remains unclear, however, with the Democrats declining to disclose their candidates for now.

Except for the collector post, every incumbent is running for re-election to help lead the township of about 110,000 residents in parts of Arlington Heights, Barrington, Deer Park, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and South Barrington.

Among them is Supervisor Linda Fleming, who’s seeking a third term. She’ll face a challenge from Trustee Sharon Langlotz-Johnson, a frequent political rival of Fleming’s since being elected four years ago.

Fleming is running on a slate with sitting Highway Commissioner John Powers and Assessor Terry Kelly. They’re joined by Trustee Vince Farina and newcomers Chris Adrian, John Mathias and Debbie McGuire, each vying for four open trustee seats.

All township seats are for 4-year terms.

Langlotz-Johnson’s slate includes incumbents Art Goes and Bill Huley for another term as trustee, Kevin McGrane and Bill Pohlman for trustee, Tom Kaider for highway commissioner and Kathy Allegretti for clerk.

A third, partial slate of candidates features Jason Hillenbrand, Julie Ann Johnson and Kevin O’Connell all running for trustee. Clerk Lisa Moran will run on her own.

The Palatine Township Republican Organization, led by Committeeman Aaron Del Mar, is recognizing Langlotz-Johnson’s slate.

Fleming is executive director of TOPPER, which was the township’s official GOP group until Gary Skoien narrowly lost the committeeman’s job to Del Mar in 2010. Now TOPPER is a separate group.

It remains unclear who the primary winners will face in the April 9 general election.

Although the Palatine Township Democrats held a caucus Tuesday night to select their candidates, Committeewoman Sue Walton declined to disclose who was slated until their paperwork is in order.

In 2009, Republicans swept the Democrats in each contested township race.

Cook County Clerk spokeswoman Courtney Greve said that with 69 precincts, Palatine Township’s Republican primary will cost the county about $125,000 for election judges, polling places, equipment delivery and other administrative expenses.