Lake County Board Candidate Alleges Backroom 'Shenanigans'

Incumbent says 'it wasn't a conspiracy' in race to replace outgoing Republican board member

Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:48pm

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The race to replace outgoing Lake County Board District 17 member Michael Danforth has generated some election controversy, with write-in candidate Eleanor Sweet McDonnell accusing her opponent Joseph Salvi of backroom deals with Danforth. Danforth, a prominent Republican voice on the largely Democratic panel, had originally filed to run for reelection but withdrew his candidacy in December. McDonnell says both Danforth and Salvi knew she wanted to run, but she believed it would be wrong to launch a primary challenge against a sitting incumbent of the same party. Danforth pushed back against her accusations, saying his decision not to run came late Halloween evening after discussions with his wife.

Why it matters

The Lake County Board seat of outgoing District 17 member Michael Danforth, a prominent Republican voice on the largely Democratic panel, has generated some election controversy as the write-in candidate has accused her opponent of backroom deals. This race highlights the shifting political dynamics in the county, as the board is set to see numerous changes after this election cycle.

The details

Eleanor Sweet McDonnell and Joseph Salvi are facing off in the primary, with McDonnell highlighting her track record as North Barrington village president and previous work in politics, while Salvi frames himself as part of a new generation of Lake County Republicans. McDonnell says both Danforth and Salvi knew she wanted to run, but she believed it would be wrong to launch a primary challenge against a sitting incumbent of the same party, and so she did not file her candidacy until she learned that Danforth had withdrawn, when it was too late for her to get her name on the ballot. Danforth pushed back against her accusations, saying his decision not to run came late Halloween evening after discussions with his wife.

  • Danforth had originally filed to run for reelection on Oct. 27.
  • Salvi filed the following week, on Nov. 3.
  • Danforth then withdrew his candidacy on Dec. 18.
  • McDonnell filed to run as a write-in candidate on Jan. 12.

The players

Michael Danforth

The outgoing District 17 member of the Lake County Board, a prominent Republican voice on the largely Democratic panel.

Eleanor Sweet McDonnell

The write-in candidate facing off against Joseph Salvi in the primary, highlighting her track record as North Barrington village president and previous work in politics.

Joseph Salvi

The candidate facing off against Eleanor Sweet McDonnell in the primary, framing himself as part of a new generation of Lake County Republicans.

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What they’re saying

“I just told him, based on stuff I'm hearing — I think it's the time for me to back off. But it wasn't a conspiracy; it was a last-minute decision by me.”

— Michael Danforth

“He knows what it takes, and what we need in Waukegan. I don't have anything negative to say about Eleanor. That's not my character.”

— Joseph Salvi

“You really have to roll the shirt sleeves up. You've got to look for the low-hanging fruit, and you've got to work with people on what really makes sense here. I'm up to the task, and I've done it in the past.”

— Eleanor Sweet McDonnell, North Barrington Village President

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.