Newcomer Shane Ritter pulled off a political upset Tuesday, defeating Kankakee County Board Chairman Mike Bossert in the Primary Election. It was a 2-1 margin of victory for Ritter. The Olivet Nazarene University dean won 64% of the vote to Bossert's 34%.

Besides Bossert's defeat, two other incumbents lost their county board seats.

Tinker Parker defeated Stanley James and Elizabeth Dunbar was a winner over incumbent Larry Enz.

Bossert was targeted after the County Board ran into financial turmoil, failed to meet payroll and then laid off some three-dozen sheriff deputies and correctional officers. The public safety issue became a major force in the campaign.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 150, representing the county's law enforcement officers, gave the endorsement to Ritter, who was also endorsed by the taxpayer watchdog group OUTRAGE.

Ritter said the win means opportunity to help set a new direction for county government.

94.1 WGFA