Claar Victorious, Wins 9th Term

BOLINGBROOK, IL — After a heated election that's included accusations of deception, negative campaigning and connections to President Donald Trump, Bolingbrook's mayoral race is over. Challenger Jackie Traynere, 54, conceded to longtime Mayor Roger Claar Tuesday after examining ballots counted by the Will County Clerk's office. Claar, 71 came in at 103 votes ahead of Traynere in the April 4 consolidated election.

"I congratulate Mayor Claar on his victory," Traynere said in a statement Tuesday. "It was important to the voters of Bolingbrook and to the volunteers on both sides that the vote be accurate and complete. Today, we know what we suspected on election night. We came up just a little bit short."

Traynere, added, "I want to thank our volunteers, my family, and countless supporters who believed in a new direction in Bolingbrook. That will happen because of what we accomplished a few weeks ago, just not as swiftly as we had hoped."

Claar told Patch he was not aware early Tuesday afternoon of Traynere's concession.

The election marked the first time Claar faced a tough race since being elected in 1986. Claar faced criticism for his support of Trump after hosting a fundraiser for the then-candidate at Bolingbrook Golf Club last fall, and Traynere also took aim at the village's debt in her campaign.

Meanwhile, Claar accused Traynere of "deception" after her campaign manager attended a coffee he hosted at a Bolingbrook apartment complex.

More Patch coverage:

• Bolingbrook Election Results: Claar Ahead By 103 Votes
• Could Trump Impact Bolingbrook Election?
• Claar Accuses Traynere of Deception
• Group Plans Protest Against Bolingbrook Mayor, Donald Trump

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