By Stephanie Irvine
It seems Will County Democrats have won most of the county positions in the tight 2024 general election race. Votes were so close that, in some cases, a mere percentage point separated winners from losers.
All precincts have reported, but mail-in ballots still have two weeks to be counted, which could change the outcome of some races. Despite the unknowns of mail-in ballots, some candidates have conceded and congratulated their opponents.
Overwhelmingly, Will County voters were split in half between Democrat and Republican candidates, with Democrats squeezing past Republicans in almost all races.
The lone Republican winner in the countywide race went to Annette Parker for County Clerk, who bested Michelle Stiff with just 50.60 percent of the votes.
Jennifer Bertino Tarrant prevailed against challenger Charles “Chuck” Maher in a race to maintain her position as Will County’s Executive. Maher, a Republican, dominated in southern Will County but lost his foothold in Monee, Crete, Joliet, and most of the communities north of Joliet. Bertino-Tarrant won with 51.19 percent of the vote.
“Unfortunately, I did not come out on top. I want to thank all the people who came out and voted for me. I truly appreciate it,” Maher wrote, acknowledging the loss in a Facebook comment to a supporter who asked how the race turned out.
Andrea Lynn Chasteen eked past challenger Diane Harris to win her re-election bid for Circuit Clerk. Chasteen won with help from 50.43 percent of Will County voters.
The Recorder of Deeds remains in Karen Stukel’s hands, who has served in that position for the past 16 years. However, as was the case with the other county offices, Stukel won the tight race with just a little over half the votes, 52.56 percent, beating out Republican challenger and current Will County Board District 9 member Raquel Mitchell of Bolingbrook.
Mitchell conceded to Stukel on Facebook, stating, “It’s been quite a year! We came close but not close enough. Thanks to everyone who supported me from your generous donations, to your encouraging words, to your vote, I am eternally grateful and humbled. I wish nothing but the best for my opponent.”
No one challenged State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow for his position, which the Democrat retained.
Will County Auditor went to Democrat Kevin “Duffy” Blackburn, who beat out James Robert Buiter for the position with 50.89 percent of the vote.
For County Coroner, Democrat Laurie Summers also maintained her position. Summers, a nurse, was challenged by Republican funeral director Robert Enright. Like the other offices up for election, Summers narrowly won with 51.98 percent of the vote.
Summers, online, announced her win with gratitude: “Thank you WILL COUNTY, I will never be able to express how grateful I am! I will continue to work hard for you everyday!”
The closeness of the county race indicates how much individual votes matter in local elections.
Voters’ next opportunity to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates is April 25, when the consolidated election is held.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.