Republican Diane Bostic lost her re-election bid by four votes. Republican Chair John Parrott told WJBC on Tuesday the party will watch for absentee ballots to be counted in the close race. (Photo by Beth Whisman/WJBC)

By Bryan Bloodworth

BLOOMINGTON – Democrats appeared to have gained three seats on the McLean County Board as a trio of newcomers ousted Republican incumbents in Tuesday’s election.

Julie Brandt edged out County Board Vice Chair Diane Bostic by a mere four votes in District 3, while Victoria Harris had a 25-vote advantage over Bette Rackauskas in District 7. Meanwhile, Sally Pyne earned a decisive victory over Ed McKibbin in District 4.

In other contested County Board races, Republican incumbents John McIntyre and Sondra (Sonny) O’Connor won re-election in District 5. Republican Susan Schaefer and Democrat Eric Rankin retained their seats in District 9, while Republican incumbents Chuck Erickson and Ben Owens were victorious.

Brandt finished with 2,917 votes while Bostic, the longest tenured member of the board, had 2,913. Republican George Wendt was top vote-getter in District 3 with 3,113 votes.

Harris finished with 3,002 votes to 2,977 for Rackauskas in District 7 where Republican Rich Buchanan garnered the most votes with 3,776.

Pyne had a 3,185 to 2,282 advantage over McKibbin in District 4. Republican William Caisley was the top vote-getter with 3,541.

McIntyre topped all vote-getters in District 5, while O’Connor had 3,816 votes to defeat Democratic challenger Herb Reichelt, who finished with 2,674.

Schaefer and Rankin defeated Republican challenger Mark Johnson in District 9, while Erickson and Owens outdistanced Michael Harrison in District 10.

Other incumbent county board members -- who were unopposed -- to gain seats were Republicans Stan Hoselton and Don Cavallini (District 1); Republicans Matt Sorenson and James Soeldner (District 2); Democrats Laurie Wollrab and George Gordon (District 6) and Democrats Paul Segobiano and Scott Black in District 8.

The McLean County Board is now made up of 12 Republicans and eight Democrats.
 

Bryan Bloodworth can be reached at bryan.bloodworth@cumulus.com.