The votes have been counted, and the political landscape in northern Illinois is shifting. The Kane County election results from the March 17, 2026 Illinois General Primary delivered clear frontrunners across several key local races, setting the stage for what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive November general election. Residents across the county tuned in Tuesday night as tallies rolled in after polls closed, eager to see which candidates would move forward.
Whether you follow every local race closely or are just starting to pay attention to what happens in your own backyard, here is a complete breakdown of who came out on top and what these results mean for the months ahead.
Bookmark this page and share it with your neighbors — these results will shape local leadership in Kane County for years to come.
The Sheriff’s Race Draws the Biggest Crowd
No contest generated more attention on Tuesday than the race for Kane County Sheriff, which featured a four-candidate primary split across both parties.
On the Republican side, Rob Russell posted a convincing lead over Luis “Lou” Santoyo. With all 292 precincts reporting along with early votes and mail-in ballots already received, Russell pulled in 14,324 votes compared to Santoyo’s 7,012. Russell is a former DuPage County deputy who spent three terms serving as Kane County Coroner before losing his reelection bid in 2024. His deep familiarity with county government and his established name recognition within the Republican base clearly made a difference with primary voters.
Santoyo brought a strong resume to the race as well. A retired detective, current Elburn village trustee, and assistant warden with the Illinois Department of Corrections, Santoyo ran an active campaign. However, Russell’s margin proved too wide to overcome.
The Democratic primary for sheriff was tighter and even more dramatic. Amy Johnson led Salvador Rodriguez by a margin of 23,067 votes to 19,022. Johnson currently serves as the county’s undersheriff and holds the distinction of being the first woman to occupy that role in Kane County history. She was instrumental in launching the county’s first Domestic Violence Unit and has brought her expertise to the classroom, teaching criminal justice at Elgin Community College, Aurora University, and Northwestern University. Rodriguez, a retired Kane County deputy, ran a serious campaign and kept the race competitive throughout the evening.
It is important to note that mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day still have two weeks to arrive. All results remain unofficial until formally certified by county officials.
The County Clerk Primary: One Contested Race, One Clear Path
The Kane County Clerk’s race played out very differently on each side of the aisle. Republican incumbent John Cunningham ran unopposed in his party’s primary, earning the GOP nomination without facing a challenger. That gives him a significant organizational and financial advantage heading into November.
Democrats held a contested primary between two candidates vying for the right to challenge Cunningham in the fall. That race was being updated through Tuesday evening, and final totals were expected once all precincts fully reported. The clerk’s office handles elections administration, public records, and other essential county functions, making this a race with real consequences for how government operates day to day.
The County Treasurer Race: Three Democrats Battle for One Nomination
The Kane County Treasurer’s contest followed a similar pattern to the clerk’s race. On the Republican side, incumbent Chris Lauzen ran without a primary opponent and automatically secured his party’s nomination for the November general election.
The Democratic primary for treasurer featured three candidates — Scott Johansen, Penny Wegman, and Connie Cain — all competing for a single nomination. Tallies in that three-way race were still being finalized Tuesday night as the county processed returns from across all precincts.
What These Matchups Mean for November
Tuesday’s primary has now locked in the general election matchups Kane County voters will see on the November 2026 ballot.
The sheriff’s race will be the headliner. Rob Russell will carry the Republican nomination into the fall, while Amy Johnson is positioned to represent Democrats pending final mail-in ballot counts. That contest pits two candidates with serious law enforcement backgrounds against each other in a race that will define public safety leadership in the county for years. Johnson’s pioneering role as undersheriff and her academic experience in criminal justice give her a compelling profile. Russell’s three-term record in county government and his familiarity among Republican voters make him a formidable challenger.
For both the treasurer and clerk seats, the fall contests will feature Republican incumbents facing Democratic challengers still being finalized through the primary process. Both races could prove competitive given shifting demographics across the Kane County region.
Kane County in the Broader Illinois Picture
Kane County does not exist in a political bubble. The county sits within the broader collar county region surrounding Chicago, a belt of suburban communities that has become increasingly competitive between the two parties over the past decade. Statewide, March 17 also brought primaries for governor, U.S. Senate, and comptroller, and Kane County’s results will be analyzed by both parties as they assess their strength heading into a crucial midterm election cycle.
The county’s growing and diverse population, stretching from Aurora in the south to the smaller communities along the Fox River corridor to the north, makes it a region both parties need to win or at least keep competitive to succeed statewide in November.
Final Certification Still Weeks Away
While Tuesday night produced clear frontrunners, residents should understand that none of these results are official yet. Mail-in ballots postmarked on or before Election Day have a two-week window to be received and counted. That means the final certified tallies — particularly in closer races — could look somewhat different once the full count is complete.
County election officials will process incoming ballots, conduct post-election reviews, and work toward certification over the coming weeks. Candidates and campaigns are already pivoting toward November organizing, fundraising, and voter outreach even as the official results are still being finalized.
For Kane County voters, staying informed during this window matters. The primary determined who is on the ballot. The general election will determine who actually leads.
Which Kane County race are you watching most closely heading into November? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and keep checking back as final results are certified.