From Johnsburg’s Kirk Donald:
Dear Voter
In the recent March 17, 2026 Primary, Democrats out voted Republicans by slightly over a 30% margin in McHenry County. Why?
Because they’re motivated. You’ve heard the phrase “people vote their pocketbooks”, that’s why the Democrats are out protesting as in the “No Kings” Rallies. They want their welfare and funding they had under the Biden Administration. They want the State and Federal funding back for their Leftist policies such as a smorgasbord of benefits for undocumented immigrants and the unbelievable lenient policies they pursue for criminal offenders.
The local Republican Party needs your help! McHenry County is the last Republican Collar County around Chicago and Cook County. If Democrats are elected to countywide offices, you’re guaranteed higher overall taxes (property, and sales) and increased criminal activity. There’s no reason to believe any different as already JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Legislature has levied over 800 million dollars in new taxes for us in the upcoming year. It’s alarming to hear the news coverage of the crime happening daily in Chicago. Because of our McHenry County States Attorney, Randi Freese (R) we’ve been able to incarcerate offenders who are a danger to the community, keeping Cook County crime from spilling over into McHenry County.
A quick look at the Democratic candidates for countywide offices illustrates that they’re just as radical as the policies they want to install in McHenry County. So many victims, so little money! Their fanatical aspirations focus on taxing McHenry County residents who are already facing unsustainable tax burdens!
Bill McNeese (D) is running against Joe Tirio (R) for the office of McHenry County Clerk. McNeese has recently moved to McHenry County from Texas and decided to run for County Clerk. He only gathered a handful of signatures for his filing petition, the Democratic Party gathered the rest. He runs a small business with no knowledge of McHenry County. He sounds like a plant!
Adam Karim (D) is an individual who is committed to helping other first-generation residents. He’s running against Donna Kurtz (R) for McHenry County Treasurer. By wise investments Donna has been able to raise over a million dollars for McHenry County. The Treasurer’s office is not a place focused on helping the immigration population of McHenry County, which is more of a social issue than a business issue.
Karen Battaglia (D) is a registered nurse at McHenry Northwestern Hospital. She’s running for State Senator in District 32 against Senator Craig Wilcox (R). Karen Battaglia has no political experience and is focused on lowering health care costs. Another social issue which isn’t really decided at a local level, however, if she were elected, you can bet as an Illinois Democrat, she would vote to continue to give undocumented immigrants free medical care.
Bridget Belcasto (D) is an elementary school principal in McHenry County. She’s committed to LBGQT student rights and backs the recent State legislation curtailing student cell phone use in schools. Although in the school system for over 24 years, why has it taken State Legislation for her to just now come out against student cell phone use? She’s running against Diana Hartmann (R) who has completely revamped the Regional Office of Education.
McHenry County has done extremely well under Republican leadership and now is not the time to allow Left leaning Democrats who insist on social issues becoming the focal point of County government demanding we add to our tax burden. McHenry County is one of a few debt free counties in Illinois, it has been listed as one of the best counties to live in by US News & World Reports in recent years, it is one, if not the safest, Illinois county to live in.
Please take advantage of Early Voting and Vote by Mail. Please consider becoming a Precinct Committee Person, Election Judge, or Poll Watcher. Get yourself, family, and friends out to vote! It is our obligation to protect our freedom! Democratic Socialism isn’t just being talked about, it’s here! Please feel free to call or text me at my number below or call the County Clerk’s Office and they can provide you with the information you need to register to vote, Vote by Mail questions, or how to become an Election Judge. Thanks for the privilege to serve you and together let’s keep McHenry County Red!
Kirk Donald
Republican Precinct Committeeperson 21
(815) 575-5123
