Politics

Incumbents Hold Solid Lead Over Lone Challenger for MWRD Board of Commissioner Seats

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In the race for three available six-year terms on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board of Commissioners, incumbents look in solid position to hold onto their seats despite a strong showing from a rookie challenger.

With 99% of precincts reporting in suburban Cook County and more than 90% of precincts counted in Chicago, incumbents Eira Corral-Sepulveda, Precious Brady-Davis and Beth McElroy Kirkwood had all amassed sizable leads over Sarah Bury.

Corral-Sepulveda garnered more than 360,000 votes and appears poised to win reelection to a second full term. Brady-Davis, who won a special election in 2024, had received more than 370,000 to earn her first full term.

McElroy Kirkwood was appointed to the board in December 2024. She nabbed the most votes of the four candidates in suburban Cook County, with more than 170,000, but had less support in Chicago, where she picked up another 160,000 votes. By comparison, Corral-Sepulveda and Brady-Davis each earned more than 200,000 votes in Chicago. 

In her first run for office, Bury managed to win nearly 250,000 votes.

Additional mail-in and provisional ballots still need to be counted; election results won't be final until March 31.

There are no Republican or third-party candidates on the ballot for the MWRD board. Winners in the primary will advance to uncontested races in the general election.

Cam Davis, another MWRD incumbent, ran unopposed in the primary for a two-year unexpired term. He netted more than 500,000 votes between Chicago and suburban Cook County.

There are a total of nine members on the board of commissioners. Three are elected every two years, on a rotating basis, for six-year terms. 

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago manages waste and storm water.

Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected] 

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