Ford edges out incumbent Hanson in Kane District 6 Democratic primary

Former Kane County Board member Ron Ford edged out incumbent Matt Hanson by just 18 votes in Tuesday's Democratic primary for the Kane County Board District 6 seat, according to unofficial results.

With all precincts reporting, Ford had 895 votes to Hanson's 877 votes.

The candidates, both Aurora residents, disagreed on whether the county should consider keeping its tax levy flat - the county's portion of the average tax bill is slightly more than 4% - with Hanson supporting an increase and Ford favoring boosting revenues through economic development.

Ford, 60, is a retired general contractor who previously served as parks director for Aurora. He was elected to the county board in 2008 and resigned in 2015, citing an increased workload in his business and a desire to be more active at church and spend more time with his family.

North Aurora Democrat Brian Dahl was appointed to the seat and then won election in 2016, but he moved out of the district and resigned in 2018. Chairman Chris Lauzen then appointed Ford to his previous seat until the November 2018 election, which was won by Hanson.