Edwards County voters turned out in strong numbers for Tuesday’s General Election, with Republican candidates receiving overwhelming support in local, state, and federal races.
According to unofficial results released Tuesday night by the Edwards County Clerk’s Office, 2,661 ballots were cast out of 4,298 registered voters, representing a voter turnout of 61.91 percent.
All 12 precincts in Edwards County reported results. Officials say they have 51 vote by mail ballots that haven’t been returned yet. If the Clerk’s office receives them in the next 14 days, they will be counted so long as they’re postmarked November 3rd.
In the race for Illinois Governor, Republican Darren Bailey and running mate Aaron Del Mar received 2,277 votes, or 86.05 percent of the county’s votes. Incumbent Democratic Governor JB Pritzker and running mate Christian Mitchell received 317 votes, or 11.98 percent. Independent candidate Collin Corbett received 51 votes.
Despite his strong showing in Edwards County, Bailey was defeated statewide by Pritzker, who won a historic third term as Illinois governor.
In the race for the United States Senate, Republican Don Tracy carried Edwards County with 2,150 votes, or 83.11 percent. Democrat Juliana Stratton received 402 votes, while American Center Party candidate Whitfield Harrington Jr. received 35 votes.
Stratton won the statewide election and will replace retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.
Republican Congressman Mike Bost also received strong support in Edwards County, collecting 2,172 votes, or 84.19 percent, compared to 408 votes for Democratic challenger Julie Fortier. Bost won reelection to represent Illinois’ 12th Congressional District.
EDWARDS COUNTY OFFICES:
One of the county’s contested races was for County Clerk and Recorder, where Republican Melanie Knight defeated Democrat Cheryl Quinn.
Knight received 2,347 votes, or 89.58 percent, compared to Quinn’s 273 votes, or 10.42 percent.
Several other county offices were uncontested, with Republican candidates securing election to their respective positions.
Duane Lear was elected County Commissioner, while Bryan L. Hart was elected County Sheriff.
Jennifer L. Thomason was elected County Treasurer, and Sheila M. Alton was elected Supervisor of Assessments.
Sarah E. Emery was also unopposed for Regional Superintendent of Schools.
OTHER STATE AND JUDICIAL RACES:
Edwards County voters continued their strong Republican support in other statewide contests.
Republican Robert Fioretti received 2,242 votes, compared to 375 for incumbent Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
In the Secretary of State race, Republican Diane Harris received 2,112 votes, while incumbent Democrat Alexi Giannoulias received 484.
Republican Bryan Drew received 2,197 votes in the Comptroller race, compared to 380 for Democrat Margaret Croke.
In the race for State Treasurer, Republican Max Solomon received 2,180 votes, while incumbent Democrat Michael Frerichs collected 394 votes.
Republican State Representative Dave Severin was unopposed in the 116th Legislative District.
Judicial candidates Amy E. Sholar and Brian T. Shinkle were also unopposed in their respective races.
Voters additionally approved the retention of several judges, including John Barberis, Barry Vaughan, Thomas Foster, William Hudson, Matthew Hartrich, and Tara Cook.
The Edwards County results remain unofficial until the required canvass and certification process is completed.