Beck wins big in treasurer’s primary race

An “ecstatic” Linda Beck had something to celebrate Tuesday — a landslide victory over opponent Patrick Wiesner in a bid for the Republican Party nomination for Ogle County Treasurer.

Beck carried all 52 precincts in the county for a total of 3,928 votes to Wiesner’s 1,646.

“I’m ecstatic. I’m just overwhelmed,” she said of her victory. “This has been a great experience. I’m so honored that the voters put their trust in me.”

Beck, 56, of Oregon, who has served as chief deputy treasurer for the last 12 years under retiring treasurer John Coffman, said she attributed her win to getting out and meeting the voters.

“I think they got to know me and what I’m all about,” she said. “That means something to them.”

Wiesner, 41, also of Oregon and a former city council member, could not be reached for comment.

No Democrats filed for the seat.

County Clerk Laura J. Cook, of Oregon, and Sheriff Brian E. VanVickle, of Rochelle, both Republicans faced no opposition for the party nod. Cook received 5,065 votes, VanVickle earned 5,173.

No Democrats filed for either seat, making Cook and VanVickle almost certain winners in the Nov. 6 General Election.

In county board races, most candidates had smooth sailing for their parties’ nominations.

Two seats are open in each of the county’s eight districts, and all are four-year terms.

Only two districts saw a candidate go down in defeat.

In District 7, which includes Maryland, Mt. Morris, and Forreston Townships, Republican incumbent Ron Colson, of Mt. Morris, lost out in his bid for the party nod.

He received 375 votes to 454 for newcomer Dean Fox, of German Valley, and 494 for newcomer Stanley G. Asp, of Mt. Morris, who are both also Republicans.

In District 4, which includes Flagg Township Precincts 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11, incumbents John (Skip) Kenney got 333 votes and Bruce W. McKinney 380, defeating a challenge by newcomer Anthony Rowley who received 229. All three are Rochelle Republicans.

In District 1, which includes Dement, Lynnville, Monroe, and Scott Townships, incumbent Rick Fritz, of Monroe Center, got 479 votes and newcomer Benjamin Pihl Youman, of Davis Junction, received 265. Both are Republicans.

In District 2, which includes White Rock, Pine Rock, Lafayette, and Oregon-Nashua Townships, Republican incumbents Wayne Reising and Pat Nordman, both of Oregon, earned 554 and 641 votes respectively, and Democrat Jerry Shirar, also of Oregon, got 289 votes.

In District 3, which includes Flagg Township Precincts 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7, Republican incumbent Greg Sparrow got 245 votes and newcomer Jamey Sulser, a Republican, received 180 votes while newcomer Lloyd Droege, a Democrat, earned 225. All three are from Rochelle.

In District 5, which includes Marion, Rockvale, and Leaf River Townships, Republican incumbents Martin Typer and Richard Daniel Janes, both of Stillman Valley, ran unopposed and earned 522 and 607 votes respectively.

In District 6, which includes Byron Township, incumbent Dorothy R. Bowers gained 429 votes and newcomer Todd M. McLester received 366. Both are Byron Republicans.

In District 8, which includes Brookville, Lincoln, Eagle Point, Buffalo, Pine Creek, Woosung, Grand Detour, and Taylor Townships, incumbent Lyle Hopkins, of Polo, garnered 739 votes and former Polo City Clerk Susie Corbitt, a newcomer, earned 574. Both are Republicans.