A Winnebago County Board race was so close last week that a count of mail-in ballots that arrived after Election Day turned the contest upside down.

A Winnebago County Board race was so close last week that a count of mail-in ballots that arrived after Election Day turned the contest upside down.

District 19 incumbent John Guevara, a Republican, held a 75-vote lead following last Tuesday’s Election Night count. But when mail-in ballots were counted later in the week the challenger — Democrat Dan Fellars — had jumped to a 24-vote lead according to reports.

Mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day are valid. A final certified count won’t be released until Nov. 22 and both candidates have options for recounts if they wish.

Last Tuesday’s election saw a 73 percent voter turnout in Winnebago County and a decided Republican tilt at the top of the tickets.

President-elect Donald Trump won the county by a nearly 11,000-vote margin over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk carried Winnebago by more than 12,000 votes in a losing statewide effort against Democrat Tammy Duckworth.

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos had 52 percent of the county vote over Republican Patrick Harlan en route to an easy reelection in the 17th District, which covers all or parts of 13 northwest Illinois counties.

In other county races, a new Winnebago County Board chairman was guaranteed when Scott Christiansen opted not to seek reelection.

He’ll be succeeded by Republican Frank Haney, former Rock Valley College board chairman, who beat Democrat John M. Nelson by more than 11,000 votes.

Haney will work with a County Board that remained firmly in GOP hands.

Republican William “Bill” Hintz, currently Winnebago County deputy coroner,  easily beat Democrat Frank R. Fitzgerald and will take over the top job after winning the only other contested race. Four other races were uncontested as Democrats Joe Bruscato and Bill Crowley won for state’s attorney and auditor, respectively.

Republican Tom Klein had no opposition for Circuit Court Clark while Nancy L. McPherson was the sole name on the ballot for recorder.

Referendums went down to defeat in the North Park Fire Protection District (providing ambulance service), a property tax hike lost in Shirland Township, a proposal on a sales tax increase in Roscoe failed and bond referendums in Winnebago County Unit School District 323 and Hononegah High School District 207 were defeated.

— Mailed ballots appears to flip Winnebago County Board race —