Will County Democrats sweep four key races

It was a good night to be a Democratic incumbent in Will County Tuesday night as County Executive Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Recorder of Deeds Karen Stukel and Auditor Kevin "Duffy" Blackburn all won re-election in their respective races, according to the unofficial vote totals.

Andrea Lynn Chasteen, who was not an incumbent but did serve under outgoing Clerk of the Circuit Court Pamela McGuire, won her boss's old seat narrowly.

Walsh, a Democrat and 68-year-old lifelong Ellwood resident, earned 148,488 votes or 53.2 percent of the total. Laurie McPhillips, a Republican from Plainfield, earned 130,436 or 46.8 percent.

Walsh has been a part-time farmer and full-time county administrator since 2004. He's long been involved in Will County-area politics, including a term as a state senator from 1997 to 2004.

Stukel, a Joliet Democrat, won 145,528 votes or 52.2 percent of the total. Kristin Cross, a Joliet Republican who once worked in the clerk's office, earned 133,437 votes or 47.8 of the total.

Stukel has served two terms in the recorder's office and ran on a platform promoting her accomplishments in electronic recording of property transactions.

Blackburn, a Joliet Democrat, earned 148,070 or 52.8 percent of the vote. Gary Good, a Shorewood Republican, 22-year military veteran and first-time candidate, earned 132,589 votes or 47.2 percent of the vote.

Blackburn is a certified public accountant and two-term incumbent auditor who wanted to continue in the role of looking out for fraud on behalf of taxpayers.

Chasteen, a Frankfort Democrat, earned 142,704 votes or 50.7 of the total. Her opponent, New Lenox Republican Marlene Carlson, earned 138,751 votes or 49.3 percent.

Chasteen has worked in the clerk's office since she was 19, rising to serve as director of operations under McGuire, the retiring Clerk.