Democratic Party of McHenry County Announces Slate of 2026 Candidates
The Democratic Party of McHenry County is proud to announce our slate of eleven candidates for the County Board and Executive Offices. Our candidates’ backgrounds in community service, technology, military service, and environmental stewardship represent the diversity of backgrounds and experiences of our big tent party.
The Democratic Party of McHenry County is prepared to back these candidates every step of the way. Democrats in McHenry County collected just under 12,000 signatures, four times our goal amount, to get our candidates and Democrats across the state on the ballot.
We look forward to bringing balance, fiscal responsibility, and dedication to public service back to our county government.
Get to know our great slate of candidates:
County Board District 1 - Deanna "Dee" Darling - Current Cary District 26 School Board Member. Focused on advocating for social services, championing public education, affordable housing availability, protecting natural resources, and transparency and accessibility. [email protected]
County Board District 2 - Gloria Van Hof - Current County Board Member for District 2 and 50-year resident of McHenry County. A mom, teacher, writer, previous business-owner, licensed Nursing Home Administrator, an Underground Railroad researcher and lecturer, and a volunteer and board member of numerous groups. Dedicated to improving communication, transparency, economic vitality, community identity and effective management of our resources. [email protected]
County Board District 3 - Carolyn "Lyn" Campbell - Current County Board Member for District 3 and long-time advocate for the protection of our natural and agricultural resources, Carolyn has proven her support for our mental health community, for common sense transportation solutions, public safety, and effective senior services. A former local government finance and administration professional, she is an advocate for a strong local economy as a means of reducing the overall tax burden on property owners. https://carolynlyncampbell.com
County Board District 4 - Edward "Bud" Bowie - Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and former sanitation industry CEO. Bud will use the analytical and planning skills honed by a long career in both government and private industry to ensure transparent fiscal responsibility, protect our Conservation Districts, preserve agriculture, promote responsible economic growth, and support fair-minded, unbiased County leadership that represents the interests of all residents.
County Board District 5 - Austin May - Born & raised in McHenry County. A dedicated public servant, his background includes service in AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and currently as a US Army Reserve officer. Austin is focused on lowering our property taxes through improving infrastructure, supporting community health, and fiscal responsibility. abetterwaymc.com
County Board District 6 - Sheryl Lindenbaum - A 4-year McHenry County resident, Sheryl has worked in the health insurance industry for over 40 years. Her focus is on resources and affordability of elder-care, assistance for family caregivers, women’s health, support for local farmers, sustainable growth, and creating an environment where all individuals, regardless of background, can participate fully and equitably in McHenry County.
County Board District 7 - Patrick J. Shea - A career in the construction industry, including project managing and acting as crew foreman. His vision is to build McHenry County’s future with practical experience, responsible growth, and respect for our land and water. https://www.citizensforpatshea.com/
County Board District 8 - Christy "Chris" Stevens - Chris, a resident of McHenry County since 1981, has had a prior career in Information Technology, implementing e-Commerce websites for top 1000 retailers. Her experience also includes a home building business, giving her insight into the lack of workforce housing in our county, water quality, open land and conservation, maintaining agriculture, property taxes, economic opportunity/development, global warming impacts, and sustainable growth. https://christystevens.com/
County Board District 9 - Christine B. Hamm - Christine Hamm is a nonprofit executive, community organizer, and advocate for inclusion and community empowerment who has called Huntley and McHenry County home for much of the past seventeen years. https://www.christine-hamm.com/
McHenry County Clerk - Bill McNeese - A U.S. Navy veteran, small business owner, and father of three, Bill brings a record of service, accountability, and hands-on leadership. He’s committed to running an efficient, transparent Clerk’s Office that makes county services more accessible to every resident.
McHenry County Treasurer - Amin Karim - A resident of Crystal Lake, McHenry County, for the past 22 years, and a proud father of four and grandfather of three. Amin is an engineer by profession with an MBA in Finance and a 30 year career in corporate management, including a proven track record of leading and executing Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Projects.