April 02, 2025
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Larson likely wins reelection to 2nd Ward seat on DeKalb City Council

DeKalb City Council election results still unofficial

By Megann Horstead
Second Ward Alderman Barb Larson, who is running for reelection, talks to an attendee Tuesday, April 1, 2025, during an election night party at Faranda's Banquets in DeKalb.

Second Ward Alderman Barb Larson, who is running for reelection, talks to an attendee Tuesday, April 1, 2025, during an election night party at Faranda's Banquets in DeKalb. (Mark Busch)

DeKALB – Incumbent 2nd Ward Alderwoman Barbara Larson won reelection to the DeKalb City Council on Tuesday, grabbing 68% of the vote over opponent Michael Embrey, if unofficial results hold.

All other ward seats for DeKalb City Council races were uncontested.

Larson said she’s happy to continuing serving the 2nd Ward on the City Council.

“I’m excited for being able to support and serve the 2nd Ward for four more years,” Larson said Wednesday. “It was really great to see all support that I got and how much I won by. So, that’s very, very exciting for me. I really appreciated everybody’s support.”

Voters should remember that results aren’t certified for two weeks. Mail-in ballots postmarked by Tuesday also will need to be counted.

Larson said she is proud of not only her family for showing up for her campaign, but the voters of the city’s 2nd Ward.

“When we had ... misinformation out here on social media, people that I had just met and talked with were standing up for me and pointing out that there was discrepancies on what was being posted on social media,” Larson said. “[Saying] that’s not what I stood for, and that’s not what I said. It made me feel really good that we’ve got some really smart voters in DeKalb and really pay attention.”

Larson nabbed more than double the votes Embrey got, according to unofficial election results reported by the DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder’s Office on Tuesday night.

With all precincts reporting and 1,056 total ballots cast – about a 25% voter turnout in the ward – Larson garnered 635 votes to Embrey’s 294 votes.

Second Ward Alderman candidate Michael Embrey (right) talks to attendees Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at the DeKalb Area Rental Association and DeKalb Area Builders Association Candidate Night at Faranda's Banquet Center in DeKalb.

Second Ward alderman candidate Michael Embrey talks to attendees Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at the DeKalb Area Rental Association and DeKalb Area Builders Association candidate night at Faranda's Banquet Center in DeKalb. (Mark Busch)

Larson, who is retired from a farming family, was first elected to the seat in 2021. Embrey, a U.S. Air Force veteran and retired Northern Illinois University band director, also operates a tourism business out of DeKalb.

Other seats included newcomer Justin Carlson, the only 4th Ward candidate; incumbent 5th Ward Alderman Andre Powell; and incumbent 6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic. None faced opposition.

Carlson earned 543 votes, Powell got 646 votes, and Verbic got 279 votes, unofficial results show.

Fourth Ward Alderman Greg Perkins did not seek reelection to the City Council.

This story was updated at 12:31 a.m. and at 3:05 p.m. April 2, 2025.

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