McHenry County Democratic Party elects new executive board, chairwoman

The Democratic Party of McHenry County has elected a new executive board.

At the party’s annual convention April 18, four candidates ran unopposed for the open positions.

Former Vice Chairwoman Kristina Zahorik now will serve as the party’s chairwoman. The Oakwood Hills resident also is a precinct committeewoman in Nunda Township.

Zahorik replaces outgoing Chairman Michael Bissett, who stepped down from his post to run for the party’s treasurer spot.

To Zahorik, the goal for the party going forward is simple.

“Try to elect as many Democrats in McHenry County as we can – including a new governor,” she said.

The Democratic Party did not endorse a candidate in the gubernatorial primary. In November, Democrat J.B. Pritzker, who has the party’s nomination, will square off against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

“We have a more visible presence in the county,” Zahorik said. “There are a number of people starting to come out of the woodwork and give voice to [the party].”

In the primary, 62,990 people voted Democratic for seven candidates in Illinois’ 6th Congressional District, up from 8,615 in the 2014 primary.

The 6th Congressional District – serving parts of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties – voted for Mitt Romney in 2012 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Ruth Scifo, a Crystal Lake resident and precinct committeewoman in Algonquin, was elected vice chairwoman.

Bissett, who has served on the party’s executive board since 2003, now will serve as treasurer.

Kristy Smith, a precinct committeewoman in Algonquin, will serve as the Democratic Party’s secretary.