2026 Primary Elections Preview: Key Races For Jersey, Greene, Calhoun, Macoupin Counties

JERSEY/GREENE/CALHOUN/MACOUPIN – Several contested and uncontested races are set for the March 17, 2026 primary elections across Jersey, Greene, Calhoun, and Macoupin Counties.

Jersey County Contested Races

In the race for Jersey County Treasurer, two Republicans are competing for their party’s nomination.

Incumbent Treasurer Rebecca Strang faces challenger Jonathan Goetten; the winner will run unopposed in the November general elections, since no Democrat candidate has filed.

13 candidates are also seeking six open spots on the Jersey County Board.

District 1: Incumbent Republican David Crone has filed, as has Democrat Marci Collins. With no other candidates having filed in this district, the two are set to face each other in the Nov. 3, 2026 general elections, when they will compete for the one open board seat for District 1.

District 2: Another incumbent Republican, Jared Mills, and Democrat challenger Fredricka “Freddy” Hatfill have filed for one open seat. The two are set to compete for the open District 2 board seat in the general elections this November.

District 3: With two open board seats up for grabs, three Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination to face Democrat William Goetten in the November general elections. These include incumbent Kara Ontis, Barbara Senger-Bollinger, and Craig Thomas Sondker.

District 4: Incumbent Republican Chairman Gary Krueger is seeking re-election in District 4 and Republican Douglas B. Figge Jr. has also filed. Democrats Bryan Lankford and Alan Milton are also seeking their party’s nomination, and both pairs from each party will face each other in the November general election for the district’s two open board seats.

Jersey County Uncontested Races

Republican Peggy A. Portwood is running uncontested in the Jersey County Clerk race to replace current County Clerk Pam Warford.

Village of Brighton Public Question:

Shall the Municipality have the authority to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of such a program?

Greene County Contested Races

Greene County Sheriff – Three Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination to face Democrat Ben Picou in November. These include current Chief Deputy Cale Hoesman, Clark A. Wallis, and Chris Weller. Incumbent Sheriff Rob McMillen chose not to run for re-election.

County Treasurer – Republican incumbent Phil Warren faces challenger Karen J. Kirbach for their party’s nomination. The winner will face Democrat Kory E. Chapman in November.

Greene County Board – With no Democrat candidates having filed, five Republicans are competing for four open County Board seats. These include two incumbents – Earlene Castleberry and Mark Strang – as well as David Hicks, Le Esarey, and Christina “Tina” Lahr.

Greene County Uncontested Races

County Clerk – Incumbent Melissa Schnelt Carter faces no challengers in the primary and will seek re-election unopposed this November.

Macoupin County Contested Races

County Sheriff – Two Republicans, Quinn Reiher and Ryan Dixon, are competing for their party’s nomination. With no Democrat candidates challenging, the nominee will run unopposed in the November general elections to replace current Sheriff Shawn Kahl, who did not file for re-election.

Macoupin County Board

District 5: Four candidates – two Republicans and two Democrats – are competing for two open seats on the board. These include incumbent Republican Larry Schmidt, seeking re-election, and three other candidates seeking to replace John Blank, who did not file for re-election. Those three candidates include Republican William Heyen and Democrats Michael Heyen Sr. and Kimberly Rossini.

Macoupin County Uncontested Races

Macoupin County Board (two open seats each):

District 1 – Two Republicans, Joe Bateman and incumbent Holly Klausing, are seeking the two open seats.

District 3 – Two incumbent Republicans, Kristi Dunnagan and John Trevino, are both seeking re-election.

District 6 – Leann Barr and Aaron Stayton, both incumbent Republicans, are both seeking re-election.

District 7 – Incumbent Republicans James Ibberson and Bernard Kiel are both seeking re-election.

District 8 – Incumbent Republican Harry Starr and incumbent Democrat Robert “Tony” Wiggins are both seeking re-election.

Macoupin County Clerk – Incumbent Democrat Pete Duncan will run for re-election unopposed in November.

Macoupin County Treasurer – Incumbent Republican Lillian Amber McGartland is also seeking re-election unopposed this November.

Calhoun County Uncontested Races

NOTE: There are no contested races to report this election cycle for Calhoun County.

County Sheriff – Chief Deputy Zach Hardin is running as a Republican to replace Sheriff William Heffington, who announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2025 after serving 19 years as sheriff.

County Clerk – Incumbent Democrat Amy Friedel is seeking re-election unopposed.

County Treasurer – Incumbent Democrat Lisa Roth is seeking re-election unopposed.

County Supervisor of Assessments – Democrat John Mac Shoopman is running unopposed to replace current Supervisor of Assessments Jill Waldheuser, who is not seeking re-election.

County Commissioner – No candidates have filed from either party.

Stay tuned to Riverbender.com for the latest coverage on primary election results from Jersey, Greene, Calhoun, Macoupin, and other local counties.

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