Voters to settle four contested Winnebago County races
ROCKFORD — There are a handful of contested races for Winnebago County offices and the Winnebago County Board in June's Republican primary.
Voters will be asked to narrow the field of candidates for the November general election when they cast ballots on June 28.
Here's a look at the races.
Winnebago County Clerk
The Republican primary for county clerk includes incumbent Lori Gummow of Loves Park, and challenger Michael Delgado of Rockford.
The Winnebago County Clerk is responsible for maintaining the public records of Winnebago County in the areas of elections, vital records, taxes, and board records. In 2018, voters approved the merger of the County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds offices thereby making the clerk responsible for recording over 150 different types of documents.
More: Petition technicalities get 2 Rockford-area officials kicked off June 28 primary ballot
Gummow, the founding director of Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful, was first elected clerk 2018.
If reelected, Gummow said she wants to create a greater awareness of the services provided by the clerk's and recorder's offices as well as increase the number of online services available to residents.
Delgado, is a 17-year Winnebago County corrections officer and vice president of AFSCME Local 473.
If elected, he said he will work to modernize all election equipment within Winnebago County.
Winnebago County Treasurer
The Republican primary for county treasurer includes county board member Steve Schultz, R-3, of Roscoe, and Randy Johnson of Rockton.
The treasurer's office is responsible for the collection, receipt, investment and disbursement of county funds.
Schultz is a certified public accountant who recently retired from a 32-year career managing the finances of Converge Cornerstone Fund, a national organization that represents 1,500 churches across the country.
As treasurer, Schultz said he will modernize the Treasurer’s office, improve fiscal responsibility and increase returns on county funds.
Johnson is a Rockton Township trustee and a retired publisher.
As treasurer, Johnson he would advocate to have vacant properties sold, rehabilitated and placed back on the tax roll.
The winner of the republican primary will face incumbent Democrat Sue Goral in the November election.
Winnebago County Board District 3
Schultz's decision to run for county treasurer opened the door for two other Republicans, Jay Durstock, and John Guevara, both of Roscoe, to vie for the county board's District 3 seat.
District 3 is in the northern reaches of the county. It is roughly bound by West Rockton Road to the north and Ralston Road to the south, Illinois 251 to the east and Old River Road to the west.
Durstock, a retired sales representative for Rockford Auto Glass, is chairman of the Roscoe Zoning Board of Appeals.
If elected to serve on the county board, he said he would make public safety a priority.
More: Where six Democrats for Congress stand on guns and economy
Guevara, who served on the county board from 2010 to 2016, is a former vice chairman of the Winnebago County Republican Central Committee. He is employed as an account executive for Lucky Street Gaming, a video gaming terminal operator in Rockford.
Guevara said he is running to make the county safer and a better place to live and attract business and growth.
Winnebago County Board District 7
Incumbent County Board member Paul Arena, R-7, of Roscoe, is being challenged by Michelle Lewis of Caledonia.
District 7 is roughly bounded by Belvidere Road to the north, East Riverside Boulevard to the south, Forest Hills Road and Illinois 251 to the west and Argyle Road on the Boone County line to the east.
Arena, a Rockford area landlord, was elected to the board in 2018.
He said he will continue to focus on crime, fight high taxes, work to expand employment opportunities and make himself available to his constituents.
Lewis, who operates the family's trucking company, VLM logistics Incorporated, is a political newcomer.
She touts herself as an advocate for small businesses, public safety and economic development.
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Contested Republican Winnebago County races to be settled by voters
