Candidates, surprises and no-shows on first filing day

Monday was the first day of the filing period for the 2010 elections, but while election authorities were open and accepting petitions all day, they really only needed the first few minutes.

Dozens of Fox Valley candidates lined up early to hand in their paperwork, officially throwing their hats into the ring for elected offices large and small. There were a few surprise candidates, and some absentees, but all of the hopefuls had one thing in common: They all filed at 8 a.m.

Four people filed to run in the 14th Congressional District, but the incumbent, Rep. Bill Foster, was not one of them. Foster has said he will run for re-election. Four Republican challengers officially took aim at him, including State Sen. Randy Hultgren of Winfield; Ethan Hastert of Elburn, son of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert; Jeff Danklefsen of Geneva; and Mark Vargas of Elgin.

State Sen. Chris Lauzen kicked off his re-election bid, and as expected, Sugar Grove President P. Sean Michels filed to challenge him. While those two will face off in the Republican primary, surprise Democrat Leslie Juby of Geneva was the only one from her side of the ballot to file for that race.

Republican State Rep. Tim Schmitz will have a Democrat challenger as well: Jennifer Barconi of South Elgin. As expected, Republican Keith Wheeler of Oswego and Democrat Linda Healy of Aurora lined up to challenge Republican State Rep. Kay Hatcher. Democratic State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia is running for re-election, unopposed so far.

In Kane County, two Republicans, Robert Russell and Donald Kramer, turned out to challenge Democratic Sheriff Pat Perez, although the sheriff himself did not file Monday. Perez previously announced his intention to run.

Twenty-two candidates filed for 11 spots on the County Board, and Clerk Jack Cunningham will run for re-election, at the moment with no challenger.

Kendall County Clerk Debbie Gillette, Sheriff Richard Randall and Treasurer Jill Ferko all filed for re-election, and all are currently unopposed. Twelve candidates filed for five County Board positions as well.

The filing period ends at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.