Lake County, Illinois

Lake County Board Member, District 1

2 candidates are tracked for Lake County Board Member, District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John Muellner and Jose S. Martinez. Candidate information follows official Lake County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

John Muellner (Republican) and Jose S. Martinez (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot for this open Antioch-area seat; sitting District 1 member Linda Pedersen is not seeking reelection, per Lake County News Dispatch and Daily Herald reporting.

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

Illinois › Lake County › Lake County Board Member, District 1

John Muellner

Republican

Top priorities

Reducing what the campaign describes as wasteful county spending
Focusing county government on providing basic services
Protecting conservation and parks while remaining fiscally responsible

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Muellner is Grassroots Engagement Director for Americans for Prosperity who began his career as an elementary and early childhood educator before moving into educational administration, per the campaign site. He previously worked for a family-owned bus parts manufacturer and served as Assistant Director at the YWCA overseeing school-age programs, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Jose S. Martinez

Democratic

Top priorities

Fiscal responsibility and reducing wasteful county spending
Supporting a strong local economy across the district
Expanding public transit options

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Martinez serves as an elected village trustee in Antioch and formerly worked as a planning and zoning commissioner, per his campaign site. He brings more than 25 years of public service experience as both a government official and union representative, and was born and raised in eastern Lake County, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotLake County Board Member, District 3

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Lake County Board Member, District 1 in 2026?

When is the Lake County Board Member, District 1 election in Illinois?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Illinois are on the Illinois election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Lake County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Lake County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Illinois election office, or see the full Lake County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Lake County ballot

32 tracked races in Lake County, Illinois. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Lake County Board Member, District 4 Lake County Board Member, District 6 Lake County Board Member, District 7 See all 32 Lake County races

Candidate profiles

John Muellner, full profile Jose S. Martinez, full profile Official Illinois election office