From a Friend of McHenry County Blog:
66th District — What I’m Hearing
State Representative Suzanne Ness is not considering a bid for the 9th Congressional District open seat, in spite of living in the district.
Ness is eyeing the seat of state Senator Don De Witte (R, St. Charles), should he decide to retire or seek higher office. If the 33rd Legislative District seat is open, expect Representative Ness to seek election there in an attempt to flip it. De Witte will be 72 in 2026, and there is speculation he may seek a statewide office in 2026, especially if Governor JB Pritzker forgoes running for a 3rd term.
Should the 66th District seat become an open seat race in 2026, there are numerous young (age less than 60) Democrats who could run for the seat including newly elected Sleepy Hollow Village President Courtney Boe.
Given all of the gains the Democrats made in Dundee and Elgin townships in Kane County on April 1, any one of the incoming township supervisors or trustees could be seen as potential candidates for either the 66th District especially who can defeat the 71-years-old (in 2026) Laurie Parman or Republican-held Kane County Board seats, in particular the 21st County Board District held by incumbent Cliff Surges (R, Gilberts).
The Kane County Democrats have already recruited candidates to challenge and flip the offices of Kane County Clerk held by Jack Cunningham and Kane County Treasurer held by Chris Lauzen. Democrat Sheriff Ron Hain is not seeking reelection and a contested Democratic primary will take place to nominate the newcomer to hold the seat next fall. Former Kane County Coroner Rob Russell is the likely Republican candidate to attempt to flip the open sheriff’s seat next year.
Based on sources in Kane County, the Democrats feel like world-beaters after the wipeout of Republicans in Dundee and Elgin townships on April 1. The Democrats see 2026 as a repeat of 2018, and they believe they can flip as many as 3 of the 4 Republican-held Kane County Board seats up for election in 2026.
It must be noted, Kane County Board Member (and former state Representative) Gary Daugherty (R, Rutland Township) health has been declining and many see him not seeking a 2nd term in 2026. The Democratic/teachers union wins in Huntley School District 158 on April 1 could see Democrats in a position to flip the 9th Kane County Board District open seat in 2026.
