Endorsement: John "Jack" Cunningham for Kane County clerk

Longtime Republican incumbent John "Jack" Cunningham, who is seeking his sixth term as Kane County clerk, is running on his record of increasing revenues from $600,000 annually when he first took office 20 years ago to more than $1.55 million each year.

The 83-year-old Aurora resident's tenure includes accomplishments such as opening a satellite office in Aurora, improvements to election security and the vote-by-mail system, and a voters outreach program that has led more than half of all voters to vote early in general elections.

His challenger, Democrat Nicolas "Nico" Jimenez of Geneva, is a political newcomer who criticizes the clerk's office for not engaging with voters enough. He also promises to focus on election security and upgrading the voting system equipment.

The county clerk's office oversees elections, keeps vital records such as birth and death certificates, and files the budgets and levies for all taxing bodies.

Jimenez, 31, a quality assurance manager for a candy company, believes it's time for someone new to lead the office. But he lacks any experience that would give him a leg up over Cunningham.

Cunningham is endorsed.