Five Republican candidates for Knox County office face objections to their nominating petitions ahead of the March 17, 2026, primary election, County Clerk Scott Erickson confirmed Thursday.
The objections, filed Monday with the Knox County Clerk, allege that the candidates filed multiple invalid signatures, sometimes indicating “a pattern of fraud, that would undermine the integrity of the nominating process in Illinois.”
A hearing before the County Officers Electoral Board is set for 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at the Knox County Courthouse. Additional meetings will follow as needed.
Erickson identified the objectors as:
- Pam Davidson, former Knox County Board Chair, current board member, and chair of the Knox County Democrats — against Erickson (clerk and recorder), Jerrie Ann Walters (treasurer), and Janet Windish (treasurer)
- Darla Krejci — against Tammy L. Weiss (County Board District 1)
- Ronald Erickson — against Anthony R. Weiss (County Board District 1)
- Jerrie Ann Walters — against Janet Windish (treasurer)
Pam Davidson issued a statement calling the objections a response to “hypocritical maneuvers” by Republicans that “undermine public trust in our elections.” WGIL received the statement from the Democratic Party of Illinois.
Erickson said objections must be filed within five business days after the filing period closes — the only time his office receives them.
He declined to speculate on outcomes, saying they could range from removing invalid signatures to invalidating a candidate’s paperwork and removing them from the ballot.
Erickson, who has served as clerk since 2004, faces no Republican primary opponent but will face Democrat Johan Henrikson in the general election. Treasurer candidates Walters and Windish are seeking the GOP nomination to challenge incumbent Democrat Robin Davis, in office since 2002.
County Board District 1 candidates include Democrats Jaclyn Smith-Esters and incumbent Cheryl Nache, and Republicans Tammy L. Weiss, Anthony R. Weiss, and Dylan Sage.
The three-member electoral board consists of:
- Scott G. Erickson, county clerk and recorder (chair)
- Ashley Worby, state’s attorney
- Mary Ostrander, circuit clerk
Erickson tells WGIL, “When the Electoral Board handles the objection involving my candidacy, I will recuse my position on the Electoral Board and an alternate County Officer will fill that seat. Once my objection has been dealt with, I will return to the Electoral Board and resume Chair duties.”
The board is established by the Illinois Election Code. Substitutes may be appointed by the chief circuit judge if needed.
Previously: 46 candidates file for 2026 Knox County Primary: Here’s the full list