GAZ_03192014

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Eastern classic right at home

PREP SOFTBALL PREVIEWS STERLING, ROCK FALLS, B1

FOOD, A9-10

dailyGAZETTE Wednesday, March 19, 2014

SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854

ELECTION 2014 | PRIMARIES GOVERNOR

Rauner gets nod Venture capitalist edges Dillard in GOP race Voting results (percent of votes*) "RUCE 2AUNER n +IRK $ILLARD n "ILL "RADY n $AN 2UTHERFORD n * – 9,923 of 10,130 precincts (98 percent)

CHICAGO (AP) – Venture capitalist Bruce Rauner won the GOP primary Tuesday in his bid for Illinois governor, as voters embraced a first campaign by the multimillionaire who flooded the airwaves with vows to run the Democratic stronghold like a business and curb the influence of government unions. With Republicans eyeing what they view as their best shot in

years to win the top job in President Barack Obama’s home state, Rauner defeated three longtime state lawmakers – including the current state treasurer. He advances to a November matchup with Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who easily won his nomination for a second full term. RAUNER CONTINUED ON A13

AP

Businessman Bruce Rauner and his wife, Diana, celebrate with supporters Tuesday after Rauner became the Republican gubernatorial candidate by winning the four-way primary.

LEE COUNTY SHERIFF

Simonton unseats Varga

OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF

VanVickle rallies late, beats Harn Rochelle vote swings 3-way GOP race BY VINDE WELLS Shaw News Service

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

John Simonton, supported by his wife, Carrie, at The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe in Dixon, watches as results come in for his Lee County sheriff’s race against fellow Republican John Varga on Tuesday night. Simonton, a Dixon police officer and retired state police lieutenant, won the nomination. No Democractic candidate ran in the primary.

Challenger wins wire to wire, says incumbent part of future

OREGON – A Rochelle police officer took a big step toward becoming the next Ogle County sheriff Tuesday. Brian VanVickle, a 37-year-old Rochelle K-9 officer, won a close three-way race in the Republican Party primary. The Democratic Party has no candidate yet. The general election is Nov. 4. VanVickle defeatBrian ed first-term SherVanVickle iff Michael Harn Edged by 136 votes. incumbent VanVickle garMichael Harn by 136 votes nered 3,470 votes to Harn’s 3,334. A third candidate, Joe Drought, of Rochelle, received 2,821 votes. “I’m so appreciative of all the people who stepped up and took part in this vision,� VanVickle said after the votes were tallied. “It’s all come to fruition.� VANVICKLE CONTINUED ON A2

BY CHRISTI WARREN AND MATT MENCARINI news@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 501

DIXON – Silence filled the room as John Simonton stood on a chair to address the crowd of about 75 people gathered at The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe. It was just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, and Simonton,

Voting results * OHN 3IMONTON n VOTES PERCENT *OHN 6ARGA n VOTES PERCENT an officer with the Dixon Police Department and a retired Illinois State Police lieutenant, had just been announced as the winner in the Lee County Republican Party primary election,

beating incumbent Sheriff John Varga 57 to 43 percent. Simonton garnered 3,156 votes, while Varga, who was seeking a third term, received 2,411 votes.

In his speech, Simonton spoke of the importance of collaboration and cooperation between Lee County agencies – something he’s been talking about for much of the campaign. He also talked about how, from the beginning, he tried to make sure the race SIMONTON CONTINUED ON A13

More Election 2014 coverage inside On A3

s !NOTHER /GLE #OUNTY INCUMBENT FALLS s 3ALES TAX REFERENDUM SHOT DOWN AGAIN s +INZINGER CRUISES IN TH $ISTRICT

$1.00

TODAY’S EDITION: 28 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 160 ISSUE 72

INDEX

On A5

s 2OUNDUP FROM AROUND THE STATE INCLUDING RACE FOR A SHOT AT UNSEATING Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin

BUSINESS ......... A13 COMICS ............. A12 CROSSWORD....B14

DEAR ABBY ......... A8 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2

On A7

s #OMPLETE VOTING RESULTS FROM AROUND the Sauk Valley

OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 SPORTS ...............B1

The Turnout 2EPUBLICAN AND $EMOCRATIC PRI MARIES ARE TYPICALLY LOW TURNOUT AFFAIRS n NOTHING LIKE A PRESIDENTIAL election. "UT COUNTIES WITH COMPETITIVE elections saw more voters turn out. 7HITESIDE #OUNTY FOR INSTANCE which had no local contested races, ONLY PERCENT OF REGISTERED VOTERS SHOWED UP AT THE POLLS In Lee County, with a heated GOP SHERIFF S RACE PERCENT TOOK PART /GLE #OUNTY WITH COMPETITIVE 2EPUBLICAN SHERIFF S AND STATE S ATTORNEY S RACES PERCENT PAR TICIPATED 4HE COUNTY CLERK S OFFICE was “thrilled� with the turnout, a SPOKESMAN SAID

Today’s weather High 42. Low 25. More on A3.

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