Bertino-Tarrant Projected Winner In Will County Executive Race
Last updated at 9:45 p.m.
JOLIET, IL — Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, a Shorewood Democrat who has served in the Illinois State Senate the past eight years, was victorious in her race against Manhattan Republican Nick Ficarello in her bid to become Will County's next County Executive, according to unofficial vote totals from the Will County Clerk's Office.
"I did worse than I was hoping," Ficarello told Joliet Patch. "I'll congratulate her and wish her the best of luck."
By 9:45 p.m., Bertino-Tarrant issued a news release announcing her victory.
“When I announced my campaign last year, I focused on addressing the needs of Will County residents with a reasonable and responsible approach," she said. "Will County will continue to develop as a place to create and grow a business and raise a family. Tonight, voters showed they are ready to address the many issues facing our communities, together.
“I do not take lightly the fact that I am entering office in unprecedented times and in the middle of a public health crisis. My number one priority is to get to work rebuilding our economy and getting our residents and businesses back on their feet in every neighborhood in this county.”
It may be weeks before we know for sure who has been picked.
A deluge of mail-in votes cast this election amid the coronavirus pandemic — many of which will not be counted tonight — makes this election unlike any in the past. Officials have two weeks post-election to count all provisional votes.
Regardless, here is a look at how Will County has voted so far:
With nearly 99 percent of Will County's precincts reporting, unofficial totals showed that Bertino-Tarrant had garnered 53.8 percent, with 171,267 votes, while Ficarello had 46.2 percent, with 147,072 votes, according to unofficial totals from the Will County Clerk's Office.
The two are seeking to replace four-term Elwood Democrat, Larry Walsh, who chose not to seek a fifth term after having a recurring bout of cancer. Walsh died several months ago at age 72.
Bertino-Tarrant vs. Ficarello Election results
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Bertino-Tarrant is currently finishing her eighth term in office as the State Senator for the 49th District. She was the Will County Regional Superintendent of Schools from 2006 to 2012.
According to the Illinois Sunshine Database, Bertino-Tarrant has $124,849 available in her political campaign fund, the Committee to Elect Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.
The following are some of her biggest donations since September: $15,000 from Senate Democratic Leadership Fund, $10,000 from Sheet Metal Workers Local 265 PAC and $10,000 from AFT Local 604 PAC, $5,000 from the following entities: McGuire for Senate, IBEW Local 176 and Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters.
Other large donations from September and October for the Will County Democrat included: $2,500 from JB for Governor, $2,500 from the Realtor Political Action Committee, $2,500 from Friends of Natalie Manley, $2,500 from Friends of Larry Walsh Jr., $2,500 from Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC and $1,250 from IBEW Illinois PAC.
"We need to invest in our critical infrastructure like roads, highways, bridges, railways, community colleges, and public universities in order to foster economic expansion and create jobs in Will County," Bertino-Tarrant informed Patch during her election questionnaire. "I have fought to secure funding to improve our infrastructure and to lower and eliminate burdensome fees to encourage entrepreneurs to make Will County their home."
Bertino-Tarrant also believes her time in office as a state senator has prepared her to make the transition to become Will County government's top elected official.
"As a State Senator, I have to address the concerns and remain accountable to the citizens of my district, while also maintaining relationships with legislators of both parties who represent the diversity of this State," Bertino-Tarrant said in her candidate questionnaire. "I’ve accomplished this while working to get millions more in state funding to our schools, raising the minimum wage and ensuring equal pay for equal work, so that all citizens can earn a living wage, and passing stronger remedies to fight sexual harassment and discrimination."
As for the Republican candidate, Ficarello said he has more than 40 years of experience in local law enforcement. He retired as a deputy chief at the Will County Sheriff's Office and later worked as chief of police in Braidwood.
According to the Illinois Sunshine Database, the Citizens for Ficarello has $8,078 available and that included $4,500 in contributions since Sept. 30. The campaign donations indicate that Ficarello loaned his own campaign $2,000 on Oct. 26. His other top donors during the past year include: $2,500 from the Friends of Adam Kinzinger, $2,000 from John Kasperek Company, $2,000 from Daniel Rozak, $1,700 from Paul Kaupas, $1,000 from Michael Webber, $1,000 from Mary Rosiek-Cardin, $500 from the Citizens for Tim Baldermann, $500 from Tim Ozinga and $500 from Laura Simpson.
Ficarello maintains that it's important for voters to have a Republican officeholder to keep an eye on the activities of the Will County Democrats.
"Currently every major office is held by a Democrat in Will County Government," Ficarello said in his Patch election questionnaire. "As a citizen of Will County my entire life, I do not want a county government run by one party. With one party rule we have seen taxes increase, we have seen our roadways flooded with truck traffic, and we have seen an increase in crime. I will re-establish a balance in government that will be fair, honest, transparent and accountable to Will County residents."
Ficarello believes that it's important for Will County to maintain law and order and that means support the police.
"The most pressing issue is to ensure the environs of Will County are safe and the rule of law prevails. I will work to bring economic develop and safety to our residents. That begins with higher paying jobs and opportunities for our families to provide stability in their homes and our communities. This will also provide families a safe law-abiding atmosphere they need for raising families. I will veto any resolution to defund or abolish the Will County Sheriff’s Police and reduce taxes and fees that hit at our lower and middle income owners. I will make Will County the heartbeat of America."
Related Joliet Patch 2020 election coverage:
Palmer Needs New Job After Huge Bertino-Tarrant Victory
Ficarello: Fuel Tax Repeal If Elected Will County Executive
Bertino-Tarrant: Will County 2020 Executive Candidate
Bertino-Tarrant Pursues County Executive, As Predicted
Joliet Voter Guide 2020
This article originally appeared on the Joliet Patch
