DuPage County election results are trending because Democrats solidified their rule by sweeping every county race, according to the Chicago Tribune. Unofficial results indicate that Democrats have taken all county-level positions, marking a significant shift in the county’s political landscape.
Democrats Solidify Control
The Chicago Tribune reports that Democrats swept all county races on Tuesday. This outcome includes multiple contested DuPage County Board races where Democratic newcomers and incumbents secured victories. The county board candidates had focused on priorities such as affordable housing, mental health, and public transit during their campaigns.
Key Race Outcomes
One of the biggest upsets on the county board level occurred in District 6, where Democratic newcomer Jesse Gutierrez ousted James “Jim” Zay, the board’s longest-serving Republican member, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. In District 1, incumbent Michael Childress and newcomer Melissa Villanueva, both Democrats, won their seats. Unofficial vote totals showed Childress with 26,882 votes against Republican Eric Poplonski’s 19,130 for a four-year term, and Villanueva with 27,120 votes compared to Republican Paula Pezza’s 19,008 for a two-year term.
Other notable Democratic wins included Christopher Espinoza and Mary Rada Walters. Espinoza secured 38,418 unofficial votes against Republican Robert “Rusty” Stevens’ 23,107 for a four-year seat, while Walters received 38,228 votes compared to Republican Theresa McClear’s 23,151 for a two-year term. Republican incumbents Kari Galassi and Brian Krajewski also lost their reelection bids to Democrats Marcus King and Ericka Polanco-Webb, respectively. Paula McGowen defeated incumbent Republican Grant Eckhoff, and incumbent Democrat Mary FitzGerald Ozog was re-elected.
In the race for DuPage County Board Chair, incumbent Deborah Conroy is trouncing her Republican rival Gary Grasso, according to unofficial results reported by Patch. Polls were open in Illinois from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and votes in contested races are counted after polls close, as stated by the Chicago Tribune.
Sources
- 2026 Election Day results: DuPage County Board chair (Chicago Tribune)
- DuPage County Chair Trouncing Republican Rival From Burr Ridge: Unofficial Results (Patch)
- Democrats leading in DuPage County Board election races (Chicago Tribune)
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