UNION COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY RACE A REMATCH OF 1992 DUEL

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Don't be surprised to see a large turnout of voters in Tuesday's primary election in Union County.

Wes Wilkins, seeking his fourth term as Union County state's attorney, will face Christopher K. Wells, an Anna attorney, in a rematch of the 1992 Democratic primary which Wilkins won by a mere 33 votes.

A second contested Democratic race Tuesday in Union County will send challenger George McCommons of Dongola against incumbent Jimmy L. Watkins of Jonesboro in the county commissioner's primary.

These are the only contested local races in Union county.

Illinois voters will go the polls throughout the state Tuesday, casting ballots for local races and for President of the United States.

Only four races are to found among Union, Alexander and Pulaski counties.

In Alexander County, incumbent Democrat Susan Hileman will face a challenge from Jack Sneed in a race for circuit clerk, and incumbent Democratic commissioner Rollie S. Matlock is on the ballot with challengers James Mallory, John Harris and Joe Aden.

All other local races in the three counties are uncontested in the primary.

One local bond issue is up for a vote in Union County. The Dongola School District 66 is seeking approval of a bond issue to build and equip a new gymnasium adjacent to the existing school building. The district is seeking bonds in the amount of $498,000 for the building.

The winner of Tuesday's primary in the Union County State's Attorney's race will advance to the position. There is no Republican candidate.

Wilkins was first elected state's attorney in 1984. He was in private practice before becoming an assistant state's attorney in May 1981.

Wells served as an assistant state's attorney in Franklin County before opening a private practice in Anna. He served as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois from 1993-1995.

Other candidates, unopposed in the Union County primary, include incumbent Democrat Circuit Clerk Lorraine Moreland of Cobden; incumbent Democrat Darryl Rendleman for coroner and incumbent Jimmy F. Wilson of Mt. Pleasant for county commissioner.

Jeffrey Farris of Olive Branch is unopposed for his second term as state's attorney in Alexander County. Other unopposed candidates in Alexander County are Teresa Martin, Republican candidate for circuit clerk who will face the Hileman-Sneed winner in the November general election, and Democrat David Barkett, who has no opponent for the primary or general election.

There are no races in the Pulaski County primary. Republicans Harold Hargan and Dallas R. Owens, candidates for commissioners, will advance to the general election, along with Democrat Gene Koen.

Patrick Duffy is unopposed in the state's attorney's race in Pulaski County. Duffy initially was appointed in April 1991, then was elected to a full term in 1992.

Other unopposed candidates are Republican Randy George for circuit clerk and Republican Bill Atherton for coroner.

Incumbent state Rep. David Phelps (D-Eldorado) has no primary opponent, but will face a tough challenge in this fall's general election against Shawnee Community College President Jack Hill. Voters in parts of all three counties will participate in the 118th race.

Phelps, who suffered chest pains last week, was scheduled to undergo a heart bypass operation Saturday at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville. He entered the hospital Wednesday and underwent a heart catherization that revealed a blockage in an artery.

Phelps, 48, has represented the 118th House District since 1985. He will be running for a seventh term in November.

Some Union County voters will vote in the 115th District primary for representative, in which three Democrats -- John Rendleman of Carbondale, Elsie Speck of Carbondale and Karl Maple of Elkville -- are battling for a chance to take on incumbent Republican Mike Bost of Murphysboro in the November election.

Another state race in portions of some counties includes the 58th Senate race. Two Democrats, Bob Brown of Chester and Tony Mayville of DuBois, will clash in the primary for an opportunity to face Republican David Luechtefeld of Okawville in the general election.. Luechtefeld was appointed as state senator from the 58th District last year when Ralph Dunn of DuQuoin retired.

The 12th and 19th District Congressional races will reach into portions of the three lower counties, but candidates face no primary opposition. In the 18th, Democrat incumbent Glenn Poshard will face Republican Brent Winters in the general election, and incumbent Democrat Jerry F. Costello will face Republican Shapley R. Hunter this fall.

Voters in all three counties will decide among a dozen candidates in the U.S. Senate race to replace retired Democrat Paul Simon. Republican candidates include Robert Marshall, Al Salva, Bob Kustra, Wayne S. Kurzeja and Martin Paul Gallagher. Democratic candidates are Richard J. Durbin, Pat Quinn, J. Ahmad, Paul Park and Ronald F. Gibbs. Liberterian candidates are Robin J. Miller and David F. Hoscheidt.