Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham and North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham claim victory in mayoral primaries

Steve Sadin
~3 minutes

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In his bid for reelection, Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham claimed victory Tuesday night in the Democratic primary over challenger Miguel Rivera.

With all votes counted except provisional and late arriving vote-by-mail ballots, Cunningham had 65.23% of 2,157 votes cast while Rivera collected 34.77%, according to unofficial results posted on the Lake County Clerk’s website. Turnout was 4.8%.

Since he was first elected four years ago, Cunningham said he promised an administration with one team and one vision for Waukegan. He said if he is reelected in the April 6 general election, that is what he will do.

“We did this for a better vision and future for Waukegan,” Cunningham said. “We will continue to invest in Waukegan so the people of Waukegan have a better future. This equals progress and unity.”

Cunningham will face 9th Ward Alderman Ann Taylor and write-in candidate Calvin Mathis on April 6.

Waukegan Alderman Ann Taylor, 9th, running as an independent, will face the winner of the Feb. 23 Democratic primary between Mayor Sam Cunningham and challenger Miguel Rivera in the April 6 general election.

Meanwhile, four-term North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. claimed victory over Anthony Coleman with 68.69% of the 610 votes counted to 31.31% for Coleman in that city’s Democratic primary, according to unofficial results.

Rockingham also said the effort was a team victory, thanking all citizens who voted for him. Turnout was 6.5%.

“I want to thank all those who voted for me,” Rockingham said. “For those who didn’t, I am going to work for them too. This is all about a better North Chicago.”

Rockingham will face independent Charles January in April.

Challenger Vance Wyatt claimed victory over four-term North Chicago treasurer Kenneth Robinson with 81.52% of 606 votes cast to Robinson’s 18.48%. Wyatt will be unopposed in April.

In three-way contest for North Chicago’s 5th Ward Alderman, Kenneth Smith held a two-vote lead over Vickie Brown out of 161 votes cast, with provisional and late arriving vote by mail ballots still outstanding.

Smith earned 47.84% of the vote, Brown registered 46.58% and Tanya Jarrett has 5.59%. The winner will be unopposed in April.

Steve Sadin is a freelance reporter.