Voters in Peoria County chose to keep incumbent Rachael Parker as county clerk, but picked challenger Randy Stevens as treasurer.
Parker, a Democrat who has held the position since 2019, earned reelection with 57% of the vote in her race against Republican Kari Gabbert.
Democrat Randy Stevens defeated Branden Martin with 56% of the vote. Martin, a Republican, was appointed treasurer last year and faced his first election.
The results remain unofficial until the election is certified on Nov. 17.
County clerk
After her initial appointment as clerk and recorder, Parker was first elected to the position in 2020. She campaigned on the quality of customer service and innovations put in place during her term, including a “Clerk on the Move” program.
She opposed fee increases for her department that were proposed to the Peoria County Board last year.
Gabbert, a first-time candidate, is the lead designer and sales manager for Peoria-based C.T. Gabbert Remodeling and Construction. She previously said she intended to improve on the office’s services while making sure it’s not abused.
County treasurer
Stevens parlayed 20 years of financial experience, including 13 years with the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, into an election victory.
He currently is the leader of a team that handles pension management and training for more than 3,000 employers in Illinois.
Martin took over as treasurer following the retirement of Nicole Bjerke, who held the position for 27 years. During the campaign, Martin touted improvements he made to the office while facing a “heavy learning curve.”
Martin, an entrepreneur overseeing nine current businesses, said he bolstered the online security of the county's funds, reduced paperwork in the treasurer's office by 20%, and he spent his own money to buy new office furniture and equipment.