Running in McLean County
Autumn 2024 Election
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President & Vice President of the U.S.A.
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Agenda47 PlatformAmerica needs determined Republican Leadership at every level of Government to address the core threats to our very survival: Our disastrously Open Border, our weakened Economy, crippling restrictions on American Energy Production, our depleted Military, attacks on the American System of Justice, and much more. To make clear our commitment, we offer the American people the 2024 GOP Platform to Make America Great Again! It is a forward-looking Agenda that begins with the following twenty promises, which we will accomplish very quickly when we win the White House and Republican Majorities in the House and Senate.
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U.S. Congressional District 16:
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Committees: House Committee on Ways and Means Member, Subcommittee on Human Resources Member, Subcommittee on Oversight Elected: September 17, 2015 Education: Law degree from John Marshal Law School Family: Married, 3 Children
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U.S. Congressional District 17:
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Judge Joe is a husband, father, lifelong Illinoisan, and a faithful steward of the law. Joe McGraw has spent his career in law enforcement – serving as a prosecutor, private attorney, and judge. Now, he’s stepping down from the bench to fight to save America for the next generation. Joe McGraw is ready to take on corruption in Washington and return our district to a safe, free, and economically prosperous community. |
Illinois General Assembly Senate District 46:
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With more than 25 years as a small business consultant in Central Illinois, Sally Owens has been a driving force in fostering success across various sectors, including manufacturing, non-profit development, healthcare, and corrections. For nearly a decade, Sally has been an invaluable asset to community healthcare. She has dedicated herself to closing care gaps in underserved communities, embodying her unwavering commitment to fairness and accessibility. |
Illinois General Assembly Senate District 53:
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Chris Balkema has been steadfastly committed to serving his community—a passion that has been evident throughout his 30-year career at Caterpillar and his 13 years on the Grundy County Board (the last 6 years as Chairman). This unique blend of American business and local government experience equips him with leadership skills that he will bring as the State Senator for the 53rd District. Chris has a very optimistic outlook for Illinois. He will use his experience to deliver results for the residents of the 53rd District. |
Illinois General Assembly House District 87:
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Husband and father of 5 living in Morton, IL. Political Accomplishments: Elected to Tazewell County Board in 2020 Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Tazewell County Health Service Committee; Tazewell County Property Committee Tazewell County Insurance Review Committee Tazewell County Legislative Liaison Medical Accomplishments: Professional Pediatric and Adult Cardiac Anesthesiologist (Board Certified 2004); Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery - Anesthesiology University of Illinois College of Medicine - Peoria; Past Vice President of the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine University of Illinois College of Medicine - Peoria (Board Certified 2001) FAAEM - Fellow American Academy of Emergency Medicine Emergency Physician at OSF Saint Francis since 2003 |
Illinois General Assembly House District 88:
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Regan Deering is an unwavering advocate for conservative values and freedoms. As a former small business owner, she intimately understands how lower taxes and government reform can unleash prosperity for all. Regan Deering holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Duke University and a Master of Education from DePaul University. |
Illinois General Assembly House District 91:
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Desi grew up in the Eastern Bloc of communist Europe in Bulgaria and was two years old when the Berlin Wall fell. She was abandoned in the streets as a baby and lived in an orphanage until she was adopted in the mid-90s at age 7 and moved to the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Her amazing journey can be read on her website. “As a new mom and small business owner I cannot avoid the fact that if those of us who love our freedom, our neighborhoods, our businesses, and our families do not stand up and take our country back from career politicians and anti-American ideals, then my son’s future will look more like the Communist world I was born into, than the country I dreamed of coming to. I will be a voice of and for the people who love our Republic, its rich history, and its hopeful future”. |
Illinois General Assembly House District 105:
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Chief Deputy of Woodford County Sheriff’s Dept. Married and father of 3 living in Metamora Representative Dennis Tipsword was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022, where House Republican Leader Tony McCombie appointed him to serve on the newly formed Truth in Public Safety Working Group and on the following 103rd General Assembly House Committees:
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Illinois General Assembly House District 106:
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Past: Illinois Farm Bureau and self-employed. Appointed to the 106th District Seat in 2023. Now seeking election for a full-term |
McLean County Circuit Clerk:
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The Circuit Clerk is the administrative arm of the Circuit Court. Statute, Rules of the Supreme Court, and Administrative orders of the local Circuit Court set forth the duties of the Circuit Clerk. The mission of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of McLean County office is to serve the citizens of McLean County and the participants in the Judicial System in a timely, efficient, and ethical manner. Don was elected in 2008 and has initiated many improvements over the years. He has been appointed to two Illinois Supreme Court Commission Access to Justice sub-committees to develop and review standardized forms for use in the Illinois courts. |
McLean County State's Attorney:
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Erika was unanimously appointed the McLean County State's Attorney in September 2022 by the McLean County Board. She is the youngest State's Attorney in McLean County's history and the first woman DA. She is married and a mother of one. |
McLean County Auditor:
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| Michelle L. Anderson |
McLean County Coroner:
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The primary responsibility of the McLean County Coroner’s Office is to investigate all sudden and unexpected deaths within the County. Sudden and unexpected does not always mean violent and/or traumatic, but those deaths are also investigated. Kathy was elected to serve as our coroner in 2016. |
McLean County Board, District 1:
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Adam Reeves Seeking his second term, running unopposed. Manager of Reeves Farm; Manager of Reeves Seed & Chemical; Member of Lions Club International |
McLean County Board, District 2:
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Mike O’Neil Lifelong resident of McLean County; Graduate of Leroy High School; Graduate of Illinois State University; Farmer and agri-businessman |
McLean County Board, District 3:
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A lifelong resident of McLean County. Graduate of Olympia High School. Graduate of the University of Illinois. Farmer and agri-businessman. “ My roots run deep in District 3 |
McLean County Board, District 4:
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Jerry Klinkner He moved to Normal in 2017 from Evanston, IL. He is semi-retired but works as a counselor in three nursing homes where Public Safety is a primary concern. He opposes the so-called SAFE-T Act, recently passed by the Illinois legislature. He will work to support our Sheriff's Department with what they need to do their jobs well. |
McLean County Board, District 5 (4 yr. term)
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Chad is married with three sons. He has lived and worked in this community since 2007. Actively supported many community organizations, clubs, and charities. Working to create a stronger, better community for our residents. BIO: I grew up in Taylorville, Illinois, and graduated from High School in 1991. I attended two years of college before joining the US Army as a UH-60 helicopter crew chief, attaining the rank of sergeant and learning many life skills early in advanced leadership courses and "on the job." Upon my discharge and return to Illinois, I attended Illinois State University, where I met my future wife. We moved to the southern Illinois University Campus in Carbondale, then a year in Springfield, where we were married with a Mass and traditional ceremony at "Old St. Patrick's" Church in Bloomington in 2004, a week after she graduated from SIU Medical School. Following another relocation to Iowa City the following week, for three years where I completed my "BSIT," Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. We relocated back to Normal to be closer to family, and my wife began her Practice at Medical Hills Internists in Bloomington on Eastland Dr. I completed my advanced degree studies while also working for a software company out of Chicago and earned graduate certification in Information Assurance and Cyber Security that is also certified by the NSA. In the following years, my wife and I raised three children and participated in numerous local community, church (Epiphany), and school-related activities. Finding time to raise a family, support a Physician wife, and work various contracts in cyber-security while simultaneously starting and owning multiple businesses has been exciting and exhausting. To add a bit of time commitment, both my wife and I are avid athletes; she either runs 6 miles daily or does some extensive exercise to stay in shape, while I have both studied and competed in Jiu-Jitsu since 2017 with Bloomington Team One and trained under Professor Casey Mccullough and Coach Michael Hadden. To learn more about Chad, please visit both of the following online sources of information: |
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McLean County Board, District 5 (Unexpired 2 yr. term):
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BIO: Randy Knapp has been a resident of McLean County since 2001. He is proud to call this area his home. He and his wife raised their children and built a strong connection with the community. Randy’s career is in logistics, ranging from supervising drivers and working in industrial engineering to managing service centers and excelling in sales. His knack for identifying cost-saving opportunities, challenging conventional practices, and spearheading strategic initiatives contributed significantly to his long-standing success in the field. He plans to use a common sense/data-driven approach toward the McLean County Board position. |
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McLean County Board, District 6:
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McLean County Board, District 7:
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David Dunn BIO: A 2016 graduate of Western Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in economics, David has worked in community banking in Bloomington-Normal since 2017. In addition, David served in the US Air Force Reserve and is an Afghanistan War Veteran. David attends Calvary United Methodist Church, where he teaches confirmation class, and is a member of VFW Post 454 in Bloomington. |
McLean County Board, District 8:
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Gary Stevens Long-time resident of Bloomington “My pledge to voters: Work to increase public safety; Work to improve road safety; Work to strengthen our community; Work to earn your trust." Email: [email protected] |
McLean County Board, District 9:
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Susan Schafer Susan Schafer is a member of the following committees: Executive Committee Justice Committee Health Committee Chairman Susan was elected to the County Board in 2010 and has served as Chair of the Health Committee since 2016. She is also currently serving on Justice Committee, Executive Committee, and has previously served on Finance Committee, Liquor Commission, and as Vice Chair of Property Committee. She is a member of the Board of Health, Behavioral Health Coordinating Council, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and Mental Health and Public Safety Funding Advisory Council. She was a co-author of the 2015 Mental Health Action Plan and led the 2022 Update to the plan. In June of 2022, Susan was profiled by the National Association of Counties (NACo) highlighting individuals who are championing cross systems collaboration and data sharing within their jurisdictions to improve outcomes for familiar faces of justice, health, and human services systems. In addition, she was selected for the inaugural cohort of the NACo Familiar Faces Initiative (formerly Data Driven Justice) Leadership Network for their commitment to improving life outcomes for high-needs residents with complex behavioral health conditions. |
McLean County Board, District 10:
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Has resided in the Bloomington–Normal area for over 30 years; Has held numerous leadership roles throughout his career at State Farm Insurance; Also works part-time as a Coldwell Banker Realtor assisting his wife, Janel Harrison. Has four children; Grew up on a family farm in northern Indiana; Graduated from Indiana University’s business school with a bachelor’s degree in accounting; Professional credentials include Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and a master’s degree in management. Endorsements include: McLean County Chamber of Commerce; McLean County Deputies; McLean County Farm Bureau I am running as a concerned citizen, small-business owner, and father who wants to make a positive difference and help McLean County thrive. |
Judge, Supreme Court, 4th Judicial District:
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Justice White was sworn in as the first Black member of the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, on January 14, 2013. In 2014, she was elected to a full term on the appellate court. On July 7, 2022, Justice White was sworn in as a Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, the first Black woman to hold this position. Throughout her career, Justice Lisa Holder White has been active in judicial education, professional leadership, and public service. |
Judge, Appellate Court, 4th Judicial District:
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"I promise to keep my oath to uphold the Constitution of the State of Illinois and the Constitution of the United States of America." - Justice Amy Lannerd In 2022, Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White and her colleagues on the Illinois Supreme Court assigned Judge Amy Lannerd to the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court. Currently, along with her colleagues on the court, her responsibilities include hearing appeals from the 41 counties of the Fourth Judicial District. Justice Lannerd has over 21 years of combined experience as a judge and a lawyer. Prior to her assignment to the Appellate Court, Justice Lannerd served as a circuit judge for the 8th Judicial Circuit of Illi- nois. Then Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman (ret.) and her colleagues on the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously appointed Lannerd as a Circuit Judge. |
Judge, Appellate Court, 4th Judicial District:
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The Illinois Supreme Court assigned Judge Eugene Doherty to sit on the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, in July 2022. Prior to his appellate assignment, Judge Doherty served as a circuit judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit beginning in 2007. His fellow circuit judges chose him to serve as the circuit's chief judge from 2018 through 2021. The Supreme Court has also tapped Justice Doherty to serve on a variety of Supreme Court committees, including service as chair of the Illinois Supreme Court's E-Business Policy Board and vice-chair of the Court's Covid-19 Task Force. He has also served as a faculty member at the Illinois Judicial Education Conference on multiple occasions and has written a number of works published in legal periodicals. Justice Doherty has stated: "the central obligation of a judge is to uphold the oath that every judge takes upon assuming judicial office, which is to uphold the constitutions of the United States and the State of Illinois." |
Interested in running for office?
Could your picture be the one to fill this spot?
Contact Dennis Grundler, McLean County Chairman, if you are thinking of running for office—city, township, school board, county, or beyond. We are here to support you.
Email: [email protected]
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(Last updated 9/28/24)
