Don Jensen holds sizable lead for La Salle County Board chairman, Republicans appear to gain 2 seats

Don Jensen is in good position to retain his seat as La Salle County Board chairman.

The Deer Park Republican held a sizable lead of 4,658 votes with all precincts counted in unofficial voting results. Results are not official until they are certified by the county clerk.

Jensen garnered 27,199 votes, or 54.6% of the vote, and Democrat Brian Dose of Ottawa tallied 22,541 votes.

“I would like to thank the voters of La Salle County for entrusting me with the opportunity and privilege of serving them for four more years,” Jensen said in a statement issued shortly before 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Although the results are unofficial, Dose issued a statement early Wednesday effectively conceding.

“I would like to thank my wife Ami, my children, extended family and friends for their support over the last year,” Dose said. “Congratulations to Don on the win. I understand there are times in life that things don’t go your way. That being said, I am still on the board, have great support from family and friends, and will continue to fight for greater transparency and accountability at the county.”

La Salle County Clerk Jennifer Ebner said Wednesday that there were about 850 mail-in ballots waiting to be counted – Ebner’s staff has until 4:30 p.m. Thursday to count them. A final tally is due by Nov. 19.

The GOP also appeared to gain two seats on the La Salle County Board, giving the party a 20-9 majority. Additionally, if the leads hold up as they were Tuesday, there will be four new faces to the County Board – former Sheriff Tom Templeton, Thomas Miller, James Bailey and Alexandria “Ali” Braboy.

In Peru, Templeton appears to have beaten Democratic incumbent Gelinda Heller 1,072 to 672 for La Salle County Board District 11, according to unofficial vote totals.

In Ottawa, Democratic incumbent Doug Trager garnered 1,000 votes to Republican Kristy Donnelly’s 947 for the District 17 seat.

Two more Ottawa races appeared settled. Democrat Thomas Miller appears to have defeated Republican Lloyd Chapman 992 to 814 for District 18, which is being vacated by Democrat Pamela Beckett. Republican James Bailey of Ottawa appears to have defeated Democrat Olivia Romine 848 to 792 for La Salle County Board District 19, which is being vacated by LouAnne Carretto, D-Ottawa. Neither result is official.

In District 4 (northeast La Salle County), Republican incumbent Beth Findley Smith recorded 1,325 votes and Democratic challenger Christine Valenta tallied 692.

In District 13 (La Salle), Democrat Alexandria “Ali” Braboy received 577 votes, and Republican Melody Burgess garnered 495 votes for the seat being vacated by Democrat Mike Kasap.

In District 25 (Streator), incumbent Ronald Blue registered 838 votes, and Democratic challenger Fred Nimke received 622.

Additionally, Stephanie Jo Thompson appears to have won the auditor seat, garnering 30,468 votes to 18,719 votes for Ashley Franciskovich in unofficial totals.