Pritzker wins McHenry County by 12,000 votes

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker defeated his Republican opponent by more than 12,000 votes in McHenry County on Tuesday. The result marks the first time since 1852 that the county has voted for a Democratic gubernatorial candidate. Unofficial election data confirms the shift in the collar county surrounding Chicago.

In 2018, Pritzker lost the county by 12,000 votes. The 2022 race was closer, with Pritzker falling behind former State Sen. Darren Bailey by just 1,700 votes. This year, Bailey lost to Pritzker by a margin exceeding 12,000 votes.

Local Democrats attributed the result to growing frustration over the cost of living. Lori McConville, owner of Marvin’s Toy Store in downtown Crystal Lake, described the effort to secure a voice for the party in the area. McConville and her daughter, Kate Nuhn, expressed relief at the outcome. Nuhn cited concerns about public education, stating she wants her daughter to have access to books and libraries and to learn truth and history.

Economic pressures also drove voters to the polls. John Bartman, a farmer near Marengo, noted that diesel prices have doubled. He said his tractor holds about 200 gallons of diesel, which should cost about $600 to fill. The current cost is approximately $1,200. Bartman said many farmers are frustrated by tariffs and rising costs for diesel and fertilizer.

Ruth Scifo, chair of the Democratic Party of McHenry County, said the party has grown since the president's first term. She observed a shift from enthusiasm to anger over gas, groceries, and housing affordability. Scifo questioned whether some Republican voters stayed home because leaders have lost touch with kitchen-table issues.

Party leaders noted that Democrats also won the highest percentage of seats on the McHenry County Board ever. Two Democrats won countywide offices. Bruce Mazurkiewicz, a customer at the toy store, said he believes it is time for the country to come together instead of dividing.