Voters side with caucus picks — splitting three-person campaigns — in Winnetka Park Board race

Winnetka voters cast their support for a trio of candidates running on separate slates in the race for seats on the park district’s board of commissioners. 

Caucus-slated candidates Elise Gibson, Scott Corley and Colleen Root are the leading vote getters for three open seats on the Winnetka Park Board, according to unofficial Cook County election results. 

With 11 of 11 precincts reporting, Gibson is atop the race with 1,438 votes, narrowly ahead of Corley’s total of 1,364. Root is holding the third position over Frederick Johnson via a tight margin of 110 votes (1,176 to 1,066).  

Gibson, Corley and Johnson — the “Vote 1-2-4” ticket — ran together using their places on the ballot as the campaign moniker. 

“Thank you to all who supported Vote 1-2-4,” Gibson told The Record. “We had some great dialogue with residents. As a caucus candidate, I appreciate the work of the caucus and their support and guidance. I look forward to representing the residents of Winnetka as a park district commissioner.”

Root and Corley did not respond to The Record’s request for comment as of publication time. 

Candidates Mary Garrison, Matthew McCarron and Steven Juliusson, in that order, are trailing behind the three caucus-slated candidates. 

The incumbent Root was endorsed by the Winnetka Caucus but joined forces with Garrison and Juliusson to run as the Open The Parks slate. McCarron, who was originally with the Open the Park team, dropped from the race late but was still on ballots.

Root told The Record that “the best part of this campaign was the opportunity to connect with my neighbors — to hear what they value in our park district and what concerns they want to address.”

She also said the Open Beaches, Open Land, Open Government campaign “closely followed the Winnetka Caucus Parks Platform.”

“My running mates — Mary Garrison, Steve Juliusson — and I ran a positive, issue-focused campaign grounded in the interests and desires of the community, as reflected by the Winnetka Caucus Parks Platform,” Root said in a statement sent to The Record. 

“Our message emphasized support for an interim plan to reopen Elder Lane Beach, protection of open land including the Green Bay Trail, pursuit of organic maintenance practices on parkland, and consideration of new or expanded facilities — such as a feasibility study for a community pool. Most importantly, we committed to working collaboratively with the Village for the good of the entire community.”

Root expressed disappointment that Garrison and Juliusson will not be joining her on the board but added that she remains committed to advancing “the objectives as set forth by Winnetka Caucus Parks Platform.”

“I’m deeply grateful to our campaign volunteers and supporters for their tireless dedication and unwavering support,” she said. 

Expiring Park Board members Warren James and Eric Lussen are rolling off the board after two terms apiece.

Root has seemingly retained her spot on the board despite a decision by the park board in April of last year to censure her for allegedly violating the board’s code of ethics by disrespecting and undermining board decision, The Record previously reported. The then-park board voted 5-2 to approve the censure measure.

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