2004 Year in Review

Primary Election Results

Primary Elections typically have low voter turnout and March 16 was no different. Only 15.59% of Whiteside County’s 37,866 registered voters made an appearance at the presidential primary. 53.8% of voter turnout voted Democratic while 45.6% voted Republican. Only 32 non-partisan votes were cast.

President George W. Bush received 2277 votes and John Kerry received 2342 Countywide.

In the Statewide U.S. Senate race Democrat Rep. Barack Obama will be facing off against Republican Jack Ryan. Locally Ryan received 971 votes, Andy McKenna (531), and Steven Rauschenberger (522). On the Democratic side Dan Hynes won Whiteside County with 1118 votes, Blair Hull (912), and Obama (537).

Democrat Rep. Mike Boland won easily in Whiteside over Dennis Ahern by almost 88%. He will face Republican Steve Haring in November for the 71st district.

The only other contested race was 3rd Judicial District Appellate Court where Mary O’Brien, of Watseka, received nearly 61% of the Whiteside County vote over Susan Lyons, of Joliet. O’Brien will face Jim Wright, of Peoria, in November to replace Hon. Thomas J. Homer.

The Education Trust Fund Referendum easily passed Whiteside with over 71% voting yes.

All other races were uncontested, for a full list of November races visit 2004 Election.

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
March 17, 2004