Primary Election 2012 Numbers

A most relevant Illinois Primary Election 2012 came to a close with a higher than expected turnout thanks in part to the contest between Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul. In DeKalb County 12,527 of 53,602 registered voters (23.37%) cast their ballots.

Eighty-three percent (10,419) of the ballots cast in DeKalb County were for Republican candidates. Only 1,983 ballots (by 3.7% of the registered voters) were cast for Democrats. Sean P. Smith (3,447) got almost twice as many votes as President Barack Obama (1880). Unfortunately for Smith, his opponent Clay Campbell, got almost twice as many votes (6,227) as Smith. DeKalb County State’s Attorney Clay Campbell awaits a yet to be caucused opponent (D) in his bid for re-election in the General Election in November.

For the first time in more than 20 years Don Manzullo and Christine Johnson are looking for work. Manzullo was defeated (56%-44%) by freshman Congressman Adam Kinzinger in the U.S. House 16th District Republican race. Johnson lost to Senator Dave Syverson by a similar margin in the Illinois Senate 35th District Republican race. Senator Johnson maintained very strong support in her home base of DeKalb County where she beat Syverson by a 63%-37% margin. DeKalb County voters cast about a third of the total ballots in the 35th District.

Only Democrats living in County Board District 6 got to vote in a strictly local contested race. Three candidates, incumbents Ruth Ann Tobias (66 votes) and Bob Brown (87) plus challenger Craig Roman (50), ran for the two open seats. And with only one other contest for Democrats to choose from very few voted — at least in the Democratic Primary. In the 2008 Primary Election 697 ballots were cast by Democrats in the uncontested race for District 6. Less than a third (203) ballots were cast in 2012. In 2008 Ruth Ann Tobias received 516 votes. In 2012 she got 66 votes, and won. Republicans have until June 4th to caucus a candidate for the General Election.

Sandwich voters gave long time incumbent and landfill expansion supporter Marlene Allen her walking papers. In a four way race for two seats on County Board District 12 newcomer John Frieders was the top vote getter with 630 votes. Incumbent Jeff Metzger (383 votes) narrowly held off challenger Jerald Osland (369) for the remaining seat. Allen received the least votes with only 279.

Fifteen energy aggregation referendums were on the ballot in DeKalb County. Nine municipalities approved the referendum, including Cortland, DeKalb, Genoa, Kirkland, Malta, Maple Park, Shabbona, Sycamore and Waterman. Five municipalities rejected the referendum, including Hinckley, Kingston, Sandwich, and Somonauk, plus unincorporated DeKalb County.