Friday was the fifth day that candidates could file nominating petitions to run in the March 17th, 2026 Illinois Primary Election. But with Monday’s 5:00 p.m. filing deadline approaching there are very few contested races thus far in Vermilion County.
Only countywide offices with contested races thus far are sheriff and county treasurer. Michael Hartshorn and John Thompson have filed for sheriff. Both are Republicans seeking to fill the spot currently held by Vermilion County Sheriff Pat Hartshorn who decided not to seek another term. Mike Hartshorn is the sheriff’s son and is currently Chief Investigator in the Sheriff’s Department. John Thompson retired from the Danville Police Department with the rank of Commander and is the director of the 9-1-1 Communications Center at the Public Safety Building.
The other contested countywide race on the ballot thus far is that of Vermilion County Treasurer. Incumbent Treasurer Darren Duncan is being challenged by Jason Whaling. Both are Republicans.
In addition to Vermilion County Sheriff and Treasurer, candidates can also file petitions for County Clerk, Regional Superintendent of Schools, Supervisor of Assessments, Board of Review, County Board and Precinct Committeeperson.
Robyn Heffern, a Republican from Westville, has filed seeking to retain the County Clerk’s position where she was earlier appointed.
Aaron Hird, Republican from Catlin, is seeking another term as Regional Superintendent of Schools. Nate Byram, Republican from Oakwood, filed seeking re-election as the Supervisor of Assessments. And Natalie Duncan of Rossville and Jay Fruhling of Fairmount have both filed their petitions to run for the Vermilion County Board of Review.
Others who had filed candidacy petitions as of late Friday (October 31, 2025) include:
- For Vermilion County Board in District 1 – Larry Baughn, Jr. of Hoopeston and Terry Prillaman of Rossville. Both are Republicans.
- Eric Luttrell of Alvin filed petitions running as a Republican for County Board member from District 2.
- Kevin Bodine of Allerton and Tonya Hill of Catlin are both Republicans running for the County Board in District 3.
- In District 4 on the County Board the candidates who have filed nominating petitions so far are incumbent Republican Vic McFadden of Westville and Carl Lee Johnson, a Democrat from Georgetown.
- In District 5 Pastor Phil Jackson, Republican of Danville is seeking re-election.
- Tara Autor of rural Danville is a Republican running for a two-year unexpired term in District 5.
- Kelly Sabrina, a Democrat from Danville, is running for County Board in District 6.
- Chris LaMar has filed petitions to run for the seat in Vermilion County Board District 7. LaMar is a Republican.
- McKensy Ellis-White, a Democrat from Oakwood, is also seeking to represent County Board District 7.
- James McMahon filed his petitions seeking re-election to the County Board in District 9. He is a Republican from Danville.
Candidates have also been filing nominating petitions to run for precinct committeeman (or committeewoman). The winners for precinct committee positions will be decided in the March Primary Election. Other candidates who win in the Primary Election advance to the November 2026 General Election.
