Contested race emerges for La Salle County clerk

There will be a contested race in November for La Salle County Clerk.

Monday was the first day of filing petitions and Clerk Lori Bongartz, an Ottawa Democrat, has at least one challenger, Ottawa Republican Steven Stohr.

Treasurer Jim Spelich, a Peru Republican, also filed a petition for reelection. So far he has no challengers.

Sheriff Adam Diss, a Republican who was named Tom Templeton’s successor, filed petitions for his first election. So far, he has no challengers.

So far there is one contested race for La Salle County Board. Democrat Carolyn Moore, of La Salle, and Republican Ray Gatza, of Peru, have filed for District 9.

Others to have filed are Democrats Joe Witczak, of Peru (District 11); David Torres, of Oglesby (District 15); Joseph Panzica Jr., of Utica (District 16); Lou Anne Carretto, of Ottawa (District 19); and Tom Walsh, of Ottawa (District 20).

Republicans to have filed are Gary Small, of Utica (District 2); Kindra Pottinger, of Sheridan (District 3); Beth Findley Smith, of Somonauk (District 4); Crystal Loughran, of Peru (District 13); Stephen Aubry, of Marseilles (District 22); Michael McEmery Sr., of Marseilles (District 23); and Tina Busch, of Tonica (District 29).

Of those names, seven are sitting county board members.

Candidates who file first are placed on the top of the ballot within their race. If candidates show up at the same time, a lottery is conducted to see who’s name appears first.

When La Salle County Board districts were redrawn, it set up the potential for five contests among sitting board members as Walter Roach (R-Streator) and Thomas Green (R-Streator); Randy Freeman (R-Lostant) and Tina Busch (R-Tonica); Elmer Walter (R-Grand Ridge) and Arratta Znaniecki (R-Ottawa); Curtis Faber (R-Mendota) and Joanne McNally (R-Mendota); and Craig Emmett (R-Wedron) and Robert Lee (D-Seneca) each were drawn into the same districts. Only Busch has filed as of yet. Freeman has said he plans to retire from the board and not seek re-election.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. Monday, March 14, to file their petitions.