Lake County voters will choose between a 14-year political veteran and a Republican political newcomer when they decide the county treasurer's race on Nov. 3. Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, a Democrat, is running against David Peñaherrera, a loan officer who has made affordability a campaign issue but has also gone out of his way to denounce President Donald Trump.
Both candidates ran unopposed in their March primaries, according to the Chicago Tribune. The office they are vying for collects property taxes, invests and manages public funds, and distributes money to the county's taxing districts, per the VOTE411 Voter Guide, which also notes the treasurer's office employs 16 full-time workers as of 2026. The position has an administrative, non-voting role.
A Newcomer Who Breaks With His Own Party's President
Peñaherrera, a loan officer with six years of finance experience, describes himself as a political newcomer. He pitches conservative values alongside an unusual message for a Republican candidate: open opposition to Trump. He has said Trump is opposite to family, religion and conservatism.
Peñaherrera says he is a Republican who believes in family, religion and conservatism, and he frames his candidacy around affordability, alleging that high costs in Lake County are driving residents away. The Lake Forest Journal reported that he is running on a platform of lowering taxes, improving affordability and strengthening transparency in the treasurer's office.
Hart Leans On Her Record As Board Chair
Hart has represented District 13 on the Lake County Board since being first elected in 2012 and has served as board chair since 2018, according to her campaign site, sandyhart.com. She points to her experience on the county board as a reason voters should trust her with the office.
Hart holds an MBA from DePaul University. She says she led an effort to stream committee meetings online.
Affordability
Hart says Lake County has held its property tax levy flat for four years and has the lowest gas tax of any collar county.
A Countywide Trend Favoring Democrats
The race unfolds against a backdrop of steady Democratic gains across Lake County's countywide offices. Democratic candidates led in all four countywide races in the 2022 election by margins of at least 18,000 votes, according to the Tribune.
Democrat Holly Kim has served as treasurer since winning in 2018.
