Knox County Republican and Democratic parties have five candidates that have filed to run for the Knox County Board this November while one Democrat has verbally dropped out.
Democrats have slated David Amor in District 2, Sara Varner in District 4 and Todd Shreeves in District 6.
Republicans have drafted Dwight White in District 3, and Courtney Torres to run in District 2 against John Hunigan for an unexpired term.
Democratic candidate for District 3 Kyle Rohweder told WGIL he plans to drop out, in a statement saying he wanted to encourage someone to “step up to the plate and run.”
White could now run unopposed for outgoing Barb Foster’s seat unless Democrats field a new candidate by next month.
Varner is a real estate agent currently but believes she is qualified because of her experience working in the County Clerk’s office for seven years.
“I know how the county runs. I paid the bills for the county doing accounts payable,” Varner says. “I’ve seen what goes in. I’ve seen what goes out.”
Varner will run against Democratic incumbent George Knapp, and Republicans Shawn Cisna and Jared Hawkinson for one of two open seats.
Amor is set to effectively take Greg “Chops” Bacon’s seat in District 3.
Amor is a retired Knox College professor and administrator who was recruited by the Knox County Democratic party after being a local organizer for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign.
“I should put my money where my mouth is, right? It’s important for people who care about Knox County and Galesburg to get involved in local government so that’s what I’m doing,” Amor says.
Republican Courtney Torres will go head-to-head with John Hunigan for the two years remaining of an unexpired term in District 2.
The owner of Beauty Cat Salon in Galesburg, Torres hopes to be an advocate for small business on the board.
“I just think the county has a really bad reputation for not being business friendly and business oriented,” Torres says.
Torres says she also wants to find a way for the county to “crack down” on residents calling 911 for inappropriate reasons.
New party and independent candidates will have from June 20 to 27 to file.
