MORRIS – Grundy County’s newly elected officials – some familiar and some new faces – will take office Dec. 1.

In Tuesday’s general election, Kay Olson, D-Morris, was elected Grundy County Clerk; Lori Werden, R-Morris, was elected as Grundy County Treasurer; and Sheriff Kevin Callahan, D-Morris, retained his position, according to unofficial voting results from the Grundy County Clerk’s Office.

Voters came out in large number, compared to other elections, with 55 percent of registered voters casting ballots. Early in the day Tuesday, Grundy County Clerk Lana Phillips predicted a 54 percent turnout.

Grundy County Clerk

Olson is the current chief deputy clerk in the Grundy County Clerk’s office and has worked within the clerk’s office for the past 11 years.

She won the county clerk seat with 8,415 votes, according to the unofficial results. Her opponent Mary Michael Roth, R-Morris, received 7,755 votes.

“I’m very happy and humbled with the outcome. It’s very exciting,” Olson said Tuesday night. “I give a lot of credit to the candidates that run. It’s not easy.”

Grundy County Treasurer

Werden, an office manager for Donico Inc. in Morris, said she plans to work with elected officials and leaders to reduce taxes and spending and increase accountability in the treasurer’s office.

Werden took the treasurer’s seat with 8,511 votes. Incumbent Marcy Miller, D-Morris, lost with 7,630 votes, according to unofficial results.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen going into today. This was a very humbling experience,” Werden said Tuesday. “Miller gave a great race and also gave 28 years of service to county residents. I appreciate all of what she has done for the county.”

Grundy County Sheriff

In one of the county’s hottest contested race, Sheriff Callahan beat his opponent, Ken Briley, R-Minooka, with 8,780 votes to Briley’s 7,587 votes, according to the unofficial results.

Callahan has spent the past three decades with the sheriff’s department, beginning as a patrol deputy in 1983. He advanced to patrol sergeant and later to a lead investigator. In 2004, he was appointed chief deputy sheriff under former Sheriff Terry Marketti.

He was appointed sheriff after Marketti’s death.

“I’d like to say I’m very proud of all the people who supported me,” Callahan said Tuesday night. “I’m very humbled by their support.”

Grundy County Board

In District 1, the Grundy County Board will have two incumbents returning and one new member. Republican Don Neushwander Jr. narrowly beat out longtime incumbent John Almer. Neushwander joins incumbents Millie Dyer and Ken Iverson in representing the district.

District 2 will see one new face. Republican Kerri Courtright joins fellow District 2 Republicans Debra Warning and David Nelson, both incumbents.

In District 3, Democrat Mike Onorato is the newcomer who joins Democrat incumbent Richard Joyce and Republican incumbent Doug Boresi. Onorato was the top vote-getter in the district.