GOP primary

Capt. Chris Watkins, an 18-year veteran of the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department, defeated Lt. Jason Buckley in Tuesday's Republican primary for Sheriff. With no Democrat running in the general election, Watkins is in line to follow outgoing Sheriff Brian Asbell.

Financial planner and entrepreneur Brett Nicklaus of Dixon has filed to run Illinois’ new 37th Senate District, which includes parts of Peoria, Dunlap, and Chillicothe.

Some political strategists say a competitive Republican primary for governor could help challengers further down the ballot, like for state representative…