Gorman handily wins GOP primary for Cook County Dist. 17

Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman has held off a primary challenge from a Burr Ridge doctor to win the Republican primary in the 17th District.

With all 261 precincts counted, Gorman, of Orland Park, beat out Barbara Bellar 13,180 votes to 9,051 votes.

The totals give Gorman 59.29 percent of the vote. Only about 11 percent voter turnout was recorded in the 17th District, which covers most of Des Plaines and parts of Rosemont and Elk Grove Village, stretching 47 miles south to Tinley Park, Orland Park and Burr Ridge.

Gorman was first elected to the seat in 2002, and although she will face Orland Park Democrat Jim Hickey in November, she said this primary race was the real challenge.

"This was actually the big race. It's a very strong Republican district," she said.

Bellar, a doctor and lawyer from Burr Ridge, positioned herself as the "real" Republican in the primary and criticized Gorman for being too comfortable working with the Democrats on the county board.

Gorman countered that as one of only four Republicans on the 17-member county board, working with Democrats is the only way to get things done.

Gorman has touted her efforts to repeal the Stroger tax increase and said Tuesday she thinks that is a big reason she was renominated.

"The next term I'll be looking forward to weeding out corruption and making sure everyone has a fair property tax assessment," Gorman said.