IBEW Local 197

10/13/2026

7️⃣ Vote John D. Poling for McLean County Board for District 7 on or before November 3!

John is dedicated to protecting your economic interests and making sure local government reflects what matters most to you. He believes in keeping property taxes reasonable, investing in infrastructure, and maintaining services you rely on. John's ties to McLean County go back 40 years and he is honored to have the opportunity to give back to his community.
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Learn more about John and all our candidates in the November 3 election at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/election2026. And get voting information, including early voting times and locations at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/vote.

10/12/2026

ENDORSEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Former Republican Party Chair Mike O’Grady understands the importance of fiscal responsibility, and getting property tax bills correct the first time.

Mike currently serves as the Township Supervisor for Hudson, and having his support means the world. Bipartisanship is rare but an important requirement for the duties of the County Clerk’s office. Thank you for your support, Mike.

10/12/2026

10/12/2026

1️⃣ Vote for Dennis Killian for County Board, District 01 on or before November 3! Dennis is running for the McLean County Board because he believes we deserve someone that will:

Strengthen our local economy by supporting small businesses and bringing new jobs to our communities, keep our rural residents safe by ensuring our sheriff’s deputies are adequately staffed, and expand access to quality, affordable healthcare — especially mental health services throughout McLean County, and specifically in the rural parts of the county.
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Learn more about Dennis and all our candidates in the November 3 election at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/election2026. And get voting information, including early voting times and locations at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/vote.

10/12/2026

2️⃣ Vote for Raul Martinez for County Board District 2 on or before November 3! Raul is a 38−year member of Laborers' Local 362. He serves as Treasurer for the Southeast McLean County Water Authority Board and has been an elected Dawson Township Trustee for 11 years, working on behalf of the residents of Dawson Township to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.

Raul will be a voice for working men and woman of McLean County, ensuring contracts approved by the county use local businesses and local labor so we keep our tax dollars here. Raul will always support the use of Prevailing Wage and Project Labor Agreements. He will work to increase the number of Sheriff’s deputies who patrol rural McLean County; support landowner rights to allow farmers to thrive and succeed whether they’re growing corn & soybeans, or harvesting the wind & sun for energy to power our homes; ensure rural residents, schools, small businesses, and farmers have access to reliable broadband high-speed internet; and increase access to mental health resources to ensure the wellness of our rural communities.
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Learn more about Raul and all our candidates in the November 3 election at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/election2026. And get voting information, including early voting times and locations at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/vote.

10/12/2026

4️⃣ Vote for William Bessler for McLean County Board District 4 on or before November 3!

William believes government works best when leaders provide a level playing field and everyone has a chance to succeed. With years of experience in community development, he's the right person to deliver results. William has spent his life building community and leading with a servant heart.

William Bessler’s priorities for McLean County include maintaining and improving infrastructure, expanding green energy infrastructure built by local union labor, broadening access to quality, affordable healthcare — especially mental health services, strengthening our local economy, incentivizing construction of new housing and maintaining our current housing stock for all residents, and being a good steward of our tax dollars.
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Learn more about William and all our candidates in the November 3 election at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/election2026. And get voting information, including early voting times and locations at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/vote.

10/12/2026

5️⃣ Vote Buck Farley, Mclean County Board Candidate District 5 on or before November 3!

As a homeowner in Normal, Buck knows the middle class needs property tax relief. During his time on the county board, Buck has voted to cut property taxes twice and will continue to work to make life more affordable for the middle class.

On County Board, Buck has voted to improve affordability by lowering the property tax rate and working to address housing availability and cost; put working families first by ensuring county projects use local workers that are held to the highest standards and paid fairly through project labor agreements; strengthen our local economy by bringing new projects and jobs to our communities, including clean energy, solar and windfarm projects; keep our communities safe by giving law enforcement the resources they need and increasing funding for mental health services and community resources
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Learn more about Buck and all our candidates in the November 3 election at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/election2026. And get voting information, including early voting times and locations at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/vote.

10/12/2026

6️⃣ Vote Beverly Bell, McLean County Board Member, District 6 on or before November 3!

Beverly Bell was appointed to the McLean County Board to represent District 6 before being elected in 2022. She has a history of giving back to the community — serving on the Bloomington Planning Commission, as an Election Judge, and as Vice President of the local NAACP chapter. She also worked for more than two decades with the United States Department of Defense overseas, and with the Normal Police Department.

Beverly is running for re-election to continue her service and to continue advocating for all of her neighbors and for everyone in McLean County. She’s asking for your vote on or before November 3 to continue representing District 6 on the county board!
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Learn more about Beverly and all our candidates in the November 3 election at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/election2026. And get voting information, including early voting times and locations at www.mcleancountydemocrats.org/vote.

06/20/2026

IBEW LU 197 Election results are in. Here are the winners:

President: Matt Strupp
Vice President: Tom Peasley
Recording Secretary: Jennifer Raney
Treasurer: Stephanie Ashenbremer
Business Manager/Financial Secretary/Delegate to the convention: Mike Raikes
Executive Board: Keith Ashenbremer, Alex Dickey, Jason Francis, Randy Holland, Jake Knobloch, Ryan McCoy, Brian Stufflebeam
At large Delegate to the Convention: Matt Strupp