Republican elected to appellate court; local circuit judges all retained
Voters on Tuesday elected David Overstreet to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Richard Goldenhersh in the Illinois 5th Appellate District in Mount Vernon. Overstreet, a Republican from Mount Vernon, defeated Kevin Hoerner, a Belleville attorney and Democrat.
Overstreet, a former Jefferson County Circuit Judge, was appointed to the 5th Appellate Court in February when the seat was vacated by Justice James Moore after the November 2016 election.
Overstreet said he was “humbled and grateful” to 5th Appellate District voters. He also expressed appreciation to his opponent, Hoerner, for “the honorable way he ran his campaign.”
“It’s really an honor to be elected,” Overstreet said. “I’ve enjoyed campaigning and meeting people from all around the district and I look forward to serving them.”
The district has 37 counties, including Madison and St. Clair.
For the vacancy of Hon. Richard Goldenhersh (5th Appellate District)
David Overstreet (R): 276,042
Kevin Hoerner (D): 192,132
Circuit judges
Voters in both Madison and St. Clair counties on Tuesday decided who will take the bench in their circuit courts. Three judges in the 20th Judicial Circuit, which includes St. Clair County, were retained. Six candidates battled for three open spots on the circuit bench.
In the Third Judicial Circuit, two judges sought retention. Four candidates vied for two vacancies.
Judges who sought retention needed to gain at least 60 percent of the vote to stay on the bench.
Here’s a rundown of the results with 337 of 337 precincts reporting in the 20th Judicial Circuit, which includes St. Clair, Randolph, Perry, Washington and Monroe counties:
20th Circuit Judge Zina Cruse (Retention)
Yes: 82,120 (66 percent)
No: 42,534 (34 percent)
20th Circuit Judge Andrew Gleeson (Retention)
Yes: 87,767 (72 percent)
No: 34,784 (28 percent)
“I’m honored they had the confidence to cast a ballot for retention. I pledge to continue to work hard and be fair and make our system work for all,” Gleeson said late Tuesday.
20th Circuit Judge Daniel Emge (Retention)
Yes: 86,909 (72 percent)
No: 34,155 (28 percent)
For Hon. Robert LeChien vacancy (St. Clair County Resident)
Christopher Kolker (D): 53,242
Laninya Cason (R): 41,503
For Hon. Jan Fiss vacancy (20th Judicial Circuit)
Heinz Rudolf (D): 68,553
Katherine Ruocco (R): 63,738
“I’m humbled and thankful by the support of the voters in the 20th Judicial Circuit that have concluded that experience and integrity matter. I will continue to provide everyone with due process and the opportunity to be heard,” Rudolf said.
For Hon. Vincent Lopinot vacancy (20th Judicial Circuit)
Paul Evans (R): 64,224
John O’Gara (D): 67,915
“I am very grateful to the citizens of this circuit that they entrusted me this job. I will work very hard to be the best judge I can,” O’Gara said.
In the Third Judicial Circuit (Madison & Bond Counties) with 250 of 250 precincts reporting:
Kyle Napp (Retention)
Yes: 72,549
No: 22,230
David Hylla (Retention)
Yes: 72,027
No: 22,784
“I’m very grateful the voters cast ballots indicating that they think we are doing a good job,” Hylla said late Tuesday night.
For the Hon. Barbara Crowder vacancy (Third Judicial Circuit)
Mark D. Rabe (R): 47,687
Sarah Smith (D): 58,387
For the Hon. John Barberis vacancy (Third Judicial Circuit)
David W. Dugan (R): 52,761
Mark Parker (D): 48,005
This story was originally published November 6, 2018 at 7:50 PM.