25 candidates file in Galesburg, Knox County on first day of registration

December 12, 2016

Today was the first day most candidates running in the 2017 spring election could officially file for candidacy.

In Knox County, 25 candidates filed with either the Galesburg Election Office or the Knox County Circuit Clerk.

In Galesburg, incumbent aldermen Wayne Dennis, Corine Andersen and Wayne Allen will seek re-election with no challengers at this point.

As expected, Mayor John Pritchard and challenger Walt McAllister will be on the ballot.

A new face has emerged for the District 205 Board of Education. Resident Rod Scherpe will run for a seat to represent Galesburg schools.

So far, he is the only candidate who has officially filed, though Galesburg High School student Isaiah Harlan and current school board president Bob Lindstrom have said they will run. Incumbent board member Josh Gibb also told WGIL he plans to seek re-election.

“I want to make sure that we see ourselves through to a balanced budget,” Gibb says. “Also, just a little bit of experience around what I think could be coming down from the state of Illinois, with new funding formulas, with some of the political things that they’re really dealing with right now. A little experience around the table isn’t a bad thing.”

Other candidate filings include incumbent City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz, incumbent Galesburg Township Supervisor Christine Winick and recently appointed Township Assessor Stephen Daly.

Candidates for Abingdon-Avon, Knoxville, ROWVA and Williamsfield school boards applied, as well. You can see a full list of candidates below. Check back throughout the week to see candidate filings as they come in.

FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES FILED AS OF 12/12/16 FOR THE 2017 APRIL CONSOLIDATED ELECTIONS

Galesburg City Council

Ward 2 Alderman — Wayne Dennis

Ward 4 Alderman — Corine Andersen

Ward 6 Alderman — Wayne Allen

Galesburg City Clerk

Kelli Bennewitz

Galesburg Mayor

John Pritchard

Walter McAllister

Galesburg Township Assessor

Stephen Daly