Published on March 17, 2026 10:39 pm
Last Updated on March 17, 2026 10:39 pm
(BUHNERKEMPE)
Voter turnout was pretty small for Tuesday’s Illinois Primary Election in Effingham County.
5,505 votes were cast of 24,392 registered to vote in the county.
Of the countywide races, the newcomer in the contests, Chief Deputy Sheriff Travis Buhnerkempe was the top vote-getter with 4,318 votes. County Treasurer Deb Ruholl received 4,292 votes, County Clerk and Recorder Michelle Kollmann 4,267 votes, and Supervisor of Assessments Pam Braun 4,225 votes. Buhnerkempe is looking to succeed Paul Kuhns as County Sheriff. Kuhns is not seeking re-election.
Four county board seats are being decided. In District A, Republican Ronald Kelly received 444 votes, in District B, Republican and Board Chairman Josh Douthit received 362 votes, in District E, Republican Jeremy Kyle received 450 votes, and in District H, Republican Sandra Rich received 691 votes. Douthit and Rich are seeking re-election in November, Kelly is seeking to succeed Norbert Soltwedel, who is not seeking re-election, and Kyle is seeking to return to the Board, succeeding Chris Keller, who is not seeking re-election.
