Democrats Fill Few Empty County Government Slots on Fall Ballot

For the first time in decades, all of the countywide candidates in Champaign County will run unopposed.

The filing deadline for parties to slate challengers passed Monday. County Sheriff Dan Walsh, Clerk Mark Shelden and Treasurer Dan Welch - all Republicans - have no opposition in November unless someone files a petition as an independent in the next two months.

County Democratic chairman Al Klein says the incumbents are very strong candidates with multiple terms behind them.

"We have openings in some strong Republican county board districts, so it's difficult to find candidates who could run substantial campaigns," Klein said. "We have one good county board candidate in District 1."

That district, covering the Mahomet area, has also been traditionally Republican, but Klein says he has confident in candidate Eric Thorsland.

Several Champaign County Board races will also be foregone conclusions if no one runs as an independent - Republicans will be unopposed in districts 2, 3 and 4, while Democrats will take at least one seat in district 9. The Green Party has no candidates in any county race this fall.