Politics & Government

Baird Wins Three-Way Race for Sheriff

The Oswego police chief was one of three Republicans running for a spot on the November ballot.

Oswego Police Chief Dwight Baird defeated fellow Republicans Steven Eaves of Plano and Jeff Christiansen of Oswego in Tuesday night's primary.

There were no Democratic contenders for the post, meaning Baird will run unopposed in the Nov. 4 election.

Baird, a lifelong Oswego resident, has been police chief for a decade and was recently named the 2014 Police Chief of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission.

When he announced his candidacy in May, Baird alluded to incidents involving sheriff's deputies that brought negative attention to the department.

“Our new sheriff should be accountable to the citizens of Kendall County and should hold others accountable,” Baird said.  “ … Our new sheriff needs to create a culture that demands respectful treatment of others and respectful treatment of their co-workers.”

Last fall, current Sheriff Richard Randall announced he would not seek re-election.

Baird captured more than 66 percent of the vote Tuesday night.

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