Marcus Herbert faces Jamie Shoemaker for sheriff, while Maggie Crouch runs against Steven Rugh for county clerk. Voters in the Orion and Rockridge school districts also have questions about how school board members are elected.
By Hola America
November 2, 2026
The Rock Island County elections 2026 will determine who leads two major county offices after their current officeholders decided not to seek reelection. The general election takes place Tuesday, November 3, in Rock Island County, Illinois.
County board contests, legislative races and judicial questions are also on the ballot. The specific combination of contests depends on the district, and the school board proposals apply only within their respective school district boundaries.
The Rock Island County Clerk’s election materials include the official candidate list and sample ballot documents for the November election.
Marcus Herbert and Jamie Shoemaker compete for Rock Island County sheriff
Democrat Marcus Herbert and Republican Jamie M. Shoemaker are running to succeed Sheriff Darren Hart, who is not seeking another term.
The sheriff oversees the county jail, law enforcement operations, courthouse security and other public safety responsibilities.
Herbert has worked for the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office since 2005 and currently serves as an administrative sergeant. His priorities include reducing repeat offenses through education and job training opportunities for people in custody. He has also emphasized his experience managing agency operations.
Shoemaker is a detective with the Geneseo Police Department and previously served with the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office. Her experience includes crisis intervention and programs addressing mental health and substance use. She has emphasized collaboration between law enforcement and community service organizations.
In interviews with WVIK, the candidates discussed jail operations, public safety priorities and law enforcement technology.
Maggie Crouch and Steven Rugh seek the county clerk’s office
Democrat Maggie (McGrath) Crouch and Republican Steven G. Rugh are competing for the county clerk position. Incumbent Karen Kinney is not seeking reelection.
The county clerk administers local elections, maintains birth, death and marriage records, and carries out administrative duties related to property taxes.
Crouch joined the office in 2007 and currently serves as chief deputy county clerk. She has emphasized her experience with election administration, state requirements and the office’s daily operations.
Rugh has described a background in bookkeeping and community service. His campaign priorities include greater transparency in election administration and improving public understanding of how the office operates.
Both candidates outlined their qualifications and priorities in WVIK interviews published October 26.
Rock Island County Board Districts 7 and 8 have contested races
Two County Board districts have candidates from both major parties:
- District 7: Democrat Carla Enburg and Republican John W. Bohlander Jr.
- District 8: Democrat James Mountain and Republican Drue Mielke.
The County Board is responsible for county policy, budgeting and oversight of local government services.
Other County Board seats on the November ballot are in Districts 2, 3, 5, 9, 12, 13 and 18. Each has one major-party candidate listed in WVIK’s regional election compilation.
Congressional and Illinois legislative contests
Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen is seeking reelection in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District against Republican Dillan S. Vancil.
In Illinois Senate District 36, Democrat Michael W. Halpin faces Republican Brad Beekman. Senate District 47 also appears in the county’s election listings, with Republican Neil Anderson.
Illinois House contests affecting parts of Rock Island County include:
- District 71: Republican Dan Swanson and Democrat Kermit Thomas.
- District 72: Democrat Gregg Johnson.
- District 73: Republican Ryan Spain and Democrat Nicole Dopler.
- District 94: Republican Joshua S. Higgins.
Statewide races include U.S. Senate, governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer. The legislative contests that appear on an individual ballot vary by district.
Orion and Rockridge school districts consider at-large board elections
Two school districts with territory in Rock Island County have proposals concerning how their boards of education are elected.
In Orion Community Unit School District 223 and Rockridge Community Unit School District 300, the questions ask whether school board members should be elected at large rather than by area of residence within the district.
Under an at-large system, board candidates would compete for seats across the school district instead of seats tied to specific residential areas. These proposals concern board representation, not school construction funding.
The Illinois Association of School Boards identifies Orion 223 and Rockridge 300 among the districts with election-method questions on November 3.
Neither question is a countywide referendum. Each applies only within the boundaries of the school district named in the proposal.
County treasurer, regional superintendent and judicial contests
Democrat Nick Camlin is listed for Rock Island County treasurer without a major-party opponent. Democrat Tammy L. Muerhoff is listed for regional superintendent of schools for Rock Island County.
In the 14th Judicial Circuit, Democrat Tionn Fambro Carter appears in a judicial contest. The ballot also includes separate retention questions for Judges Terence M. Patton, Peter W. Church and John L. McGehee.
Judicial retention questions ask whether an incumbent judge should remain in office, rather than asking voters to select between competing candidates.
The county election page provides the official sample ballot documents identifying the contests and questions associated with the November 3 election.
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