McGehee elected RI state's attorney

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McGehee elected RI state's attorney

Originally Posted Online: Nov. 06, 2012, 11:15 pm
Last Updated: Nov. 06, 2012, 11:16 pm

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By Stephen Elliott, selliott@qconline.com

John McGehee is the new Rock Island County state's attorney.

Mr. McGehee, 51, of Moline, handily defeated his Republican challenger, Rock Island County Assistant State's Attorney Jim Wozniak, 33, of East Moline, by a vote of 37,893 to 23,752, according to unofficial returns.

"It's a good night," Mr. McGehee said. "I think the voters have decided that the office needs someone with integrity and honesty. I'm really happy things have turned out well for me tonight."

Both Mr. McGehee and Mr. Wozniak campaigned on making changes in the office. They took their campaigns to thousands of households throughout the county.

Mr. Wozniak was hired by former state's attorney Jeff Terronez shortly before Mr. Terronez resigned in April 2011 after pleading guilty to one misdemeanor count of providing alcohol to a minor.

Mark Senko was then appointed by the Rock Island County Board in 2011 to replace Mr. Terronez until Tuesday's election.

"I want to bring the morale up," Mr. McGehee said of the office. "Ever since Jeff (Terronez) had to resign, the morale has been low.

"There really needs to be leadership in the office. I think my victory tonight is a mandate from the voters.

"Hopefully, the changes will be very positive and will really help the county."

Mr. Wozniak also campaigned on making changes in the office, saying the county had a one party (Democratic) system for too long. He said voters told him they wanted to rid the county of waste, corruption and nepotism.

He said he was surprised at the size of his loss as well as that of other Republican contests in Rock Island County.

"I knew it was an uphill battle," Mr. Wozniak said afterwards. "There's a lot of problems in Rock Island County, a lot of problems in the state and a lot of people are upset.

"I assumed that would translate into a lot of votes for change. It doesn't appear that's the case. The electorate has spoken. That's what a democracy is for."

Mr. Wozniak said he called Mr. McGehee to congratulate him on his win and hopes he can work with him as assistant state's attorney.

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BARNETT'S HOUSE OF FIREPLACES

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Today is Saturday, May 25, the 145th day of 2013. There are 220 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: The annual review of the fire department of this city took placeyesterday and made a fine showing with machines and hose carts in tip-top order.
1888 -- 125 years ago: Last night's prayer meeting at Central Presbyterian Church wascalled off due to water in the basement, residue of last week's flood.
1913 -- 100 years ago: The junior class of Rock Island High School will hold a riverexcursion on the steamer St. Paul next Tuesday.
1938 -- 75 years ago: The 75th Anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal today finds thenation's largest ordinance manufacturing plant filling many important orders for the army.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Miss Patrice Daly, Rock Island, a senior at Rock Island HighSchool, won second place in the recent state public speaking contest held in Peoria underthe auspices of the Knights of Pythias.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Hampton's sesquicentennial committee and the Hampton HistoricalSociety have scheduled a full slate of activities, which will be held throughout the year, to celebrate the village's 150th birthday. The first celebration will be the Memorial Dayprogram at 10 a.m. May 30, at the Brettun and Black Store Museum on River Road. Therewill be a sesquicentennial display.

(More History)