May 20, 2024
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Eric Stare apparent winner over incumbent Kenyon in Kane County Board primary race

Stare: ‘That’s awesome’

By Brenda Schory
Kane County Board District 16 Republican incumbent Mike Kenyon (right) waits for election results with Kane County Board District 18 Republican incumbent Rick Williams at Old Towne Pub and Eatery in Campton Hills on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Kane County Board District 16 Republican incumbent Mike Kenyon (right) waits for election results with Kane County Board District 18 Republican incumbent Rick Williams at Old Towne Pub and Eatery in Campton Hills on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. According to unofficial results, challenger Eric Stare was leading Kenyon in the primary race. (Sandy Bressner)

Republican newcomer Eric Stare appears to have unseated 18-year Kane County Board veteran Michael Kenyon, R-South Elgin, in District 16 in unofficial results in the March 19 primary election.

Stare received 576 votes to Kenyon’s 389, a difference of 187 votes, according to unofficial results posted on the Kane County Clerk’s website.

“It’s awesome,” Stare said of his apparent win. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be the Republican nominee.”

Eric Stare led in a primary race with incumbent Michael Kenyon for the Kane County Board District 16 in unofficial results late Tuesday.

Eric Stare led in a primary race with incumbent Michael Kenyon for the Kane County Board District 16 in unofficial results late Tuesday. (Photo provided by Eric Stare)

Stare also praised his opponent.

“I am eternally grateful for all of Mike Kenyon’s service and dedication to the community,” Stare said. “He was always somebody I went to for mentorship in the past few years. He always answered the phone when I called. He has always given back to the community. He was 18 years on the county board, served on all kinds of committees and other organizations.”

Kenyon gave Stare credit for working hard to win the primary.

“He took a week off work and went door to door and campaigned hard,” Kenyon said. “I give him credit for that.”

As to having to leave the county board after serving almost 20 years, Kenyon said, “I met a lot of good people by being on that board.”

The votes are not official until the clerk’s office certifies them 14 days after the election.

Kenyon, a farmer, and Stare, a driver for a waste hauler and an Elgin Township trustee, presented opposite views on LGBTQ+, paper ballots and former president Donald Trump.

Stare said he did not condone homosexuality because of his Christian beliefs. Kenyon voted to support Pride Month in Kane County.

Stare was among the picketers at the UpRising Bakery and Cafe in Lake in the Hills in 2022 over an issue of children seeing a drag show there.

Stare said he supports a return to hand-counting paper ballots because he does not trust machines. Kenyon countered it would take too long and if Stare doesn’t trust machines, why would he trust a person?

Stare also said that Trump won in 2020. Kenyon said Joe Biden was elected president.

Stare is expected to face Democrat Ted Penesis in the Nov. 5 general election.

ElectionKane County2024 ElectionRepublicans