2024 Voter Guide: Clinton, Monroe, Randolph and Washington, Illinois county elections
23 days ago
Welcome to the Belleville News-Democrat’s Voter Guide for Clinton, Monroe, Randolph and Washington county races in the Nov. 5 election in Illinois.
The News-Democrat has contacted the candidates running in contested races in Randolph County and asked them to complete a candidate questionnaire. There are not competitive races for local offices in Clinton, Monroe and Washington counties but you can see a list of the candidates below.
While this article has information about Clinton, Monroe, Randolph and Washington county races, you can go to this page at bnd.com to get links to read about candidates running for Congress, state legislative offices and seats in other counties.
Responses from Randolph County candidates are listed below. (The candidates are listed alphabetically.)
Use the index menu below to immediately navigate to the races you want to see first.
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought.) No
Occupation: Paralegal for 27 years
Education: ASA degree in paralegal studies
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I have lived in Randolph County for 55 years and currently reside in Chester, Illinois. After graduation from Sparta High School in 1973, I went to work at World Color Press, a/k/a Spartan Printing in Sparta, Illinois. While working at Spartan Printing for 23 years, I served as:
• Employee Health Insurance committee person;
• GCIU Union Officer for the Bindery;
• Steering Committee member to establish the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP);
• Member of the ESOP Company Board of Directors for the first two years of the
employee ownership.
After the closure of the ESOP, I went back to college and graduated with a paralegal degree. I have worked as a paralegal for 27 years, which consisted of 16 years with three private attorneys and one law firm in St. Louis, and 11 years as a paralegal assistant in the Law Library at Menard Correctional Center.
When my son was young and very interested in billiards, I organized and managed a youth pool league for the area youth at the Chester Eagle Club for 5 years. Many of those young players were able to qualify for the National Youth Pool Tournament each year. My years with the youth pool league was very rewarding and I was able to watch these kids grow into adults today.
A member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary for 50 years and have served as secretary of the Chester Eagles #3252 Auxiliary for 10 years.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? My campaign contributors have come from current and former state’s attorneys, area attorneys and former officeholders.
Why are you running? My 27 years of paralegal experience has provided me with the knowledge of court procedures at the county, state and federal levels. With that background, I hope to bring my experience and knowledge to the Circuit Clerk’s office and to help streamline filings and communication with the citizens of Randolph County.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? The Circuit Clerk’s office receives many court filings and some are pro se filings from the county’s citizens themselves. This can be very complicating for those trying to understand the protocol and procedures of the court process. Although, representing yourself in a court case is not always a good choice. As a circuit clerk, I can help direct them to various pro se information that is available; which can help them understand the process.
Why should people vote for you? My 27 years of experience in various areas of law, as a paralegal, will provide the Circuit Clerk’s office with this vast knowledge. To abide by the statute that governs this office, which is charged with managing the flow of filings, court dockets, fees, costs and duties as required by law.
Did not respond
Julie Jany Carnahan, Republican incumbent candidate for Randolph County Circuit Clerk, did not respond to the Belleville News-Democrat questionnaire.
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought.) Randolph County sheriff (2002-2010)
Occupation: Retired Randolph County sheriff
Education: St. Louis Police Department Crime Scene & Death Investigator Academy. Certified Roadside Extrication Specialist. Certified Advanced Interview & Interrogation. Railroad Grade Crossing Accident Investigator Certified. Certified Farm Medic Provider & Instructor. National Sheriffs’ Institute Graduate. National Sheriff’s Management Graduate. State of Illinois Emergency Rescue Technician. At Scene Traffic Investigator. University of Illinois, Certified Firefighter II.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Board Member of Steeleville School District 138 for eight years. Member of the Lions Club for 25 years. Coulterville Volunteer Fire Department & Ambulance service (25 years). Ainad Shriner for 38 years. Masonic Lodge #162 Mason (39 Years).
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Randolph County Democrats. Citizens of Randolph County. Family
Why are you running? I am running to continue my interest in law enforcement and using my qualifications and proven experience to further serve the citizens of Randolph County.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? This is the first time in my career that a deputy coroner has chosen not to seek office. With 30 years of working for the Sheriff’s Office, including eight years as sheriff, and directly with the coroner’s office and Illinois State Police on numerous on-scene death investigations, I have the expertise and proven experience it takes to run the office effectively. I intend to serve the citizens of the county with integrity, passion and honesty.
Why should people vote for you? I have served this county for more than 29 years and have always upheld the standard to the highest level. Given the opportunity, I would continue to ensure the citizens of Randolph County are treated with the utmost respect during their time of need.
Did not respond
Tracy Vallett, Republican candidate for Randolph County Coroner, did not respond to the Belleville News-Democrat questionnaire.
Randolph County State’s Attorney
Dennis Frech Provided
NAME: DENNIS L. FRECH
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 52
Office seeking: Randolph County State’s Attorney
Are you an incumbent? No
Campaign website or social media page: None
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought.) No
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Juris Doctorate from SIU School of Law
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Public Defender of Perry County Drug Court
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Randolph County Democratic Party and professional colleagues.
Why are you running? To help the citizens of Randolph County.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? The methamphetamine epidemic that is tearing apart families in Randolph County. I will have an open door policy to assist citizens with any problems I can assist them with.
Why should people vote for you? I am the only candidate running for Randolph County State’s Attorney who has practiced criminal law in Randolph County and surrounding counties. I have been exposed to both the good and the bad practices in other counties. I am going to implement successful practices to give all the people of Randolph County the services they deserve.
Did not respond
Christopher Koeneman, Republican candidate for Randolph County State’s Attorney, did not respond to the Belleville News-Democrat questionnaire.
Randolph County Commissioner
Andy Gerlach, a Republican, and Martin “Marty” Giordano, a Democrat, did not respond to the Belleville News-Democrat questionnaire for Randolph County Commissioner.
Candidates in uncontested races
Here are the candidates who are running uncontested in Clinton, Monroe and Washington counties. The incumbent is noted with (i):
Clinton County
Clinton County Circuit Clerk
▪ Rod Kloeckner (i) - R
Clinton County State’s Attorney
▪ J.D. Brandmeyer (i) - R
Clinton County Coroner
▪ Phillip Moss (i) - D
Clinton County Board District 1 (Vote for 1)
▪ Joe Jansen (i) - R
Clinton County Board District 2 (Vote for 1)
▪ Greg Riechman (i) - R
Clinton County Board District 3 (Vote for 1)
▪ Ann Schroeder (i) - R
Clinton County Board District 4 (Vote for 2)
▪ Kurt Schmitz - R
▪ David Veizer (i) - R
Clinton County Board District 5 (Vote for 2)
▪ Gary Arentsen (i) - R
▪ Bruce Rapien (i) - R
Monroe County
Monroe County Circuit Clerk
▪ Lisa Fallon (i) - R
Monroe County State’s Attorney:
▪ Ryan Webb (i) - R
Monroe County Coroner:
▪ Bob Hill (i) - R
Washington County
Washington County Circuit Clerk:
▪ Andrea Renken (i) - R
Washington County Coroner
▪ Mark Styninger (i) - R
Washington County State’s Attorney
▪ Daniel Janowski (i) - R
Washington County Board District 1 (Vote for 3)
▪ Daniel Rene Luna-Fuller - R
▪ Eric Malick - R
▪ Rodney Small (i) - R
Washington County Board District 2 (Vote for 2)
▪ David Ibendahl (i) - R
▪ Brian Klingenberg (i) - R
Washington County Board District 3 (Vote 2)
▪ Eric Brammieier (i) - R
▪ David Karg (i) - R
Comments / 1
Add a Comment
Kelli Pierce
21d ago
well there's my friend Fred Frederking--he is a kind, sweet man!
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