Gaspard Leads Evanston Township Supervisor Race

Update: 11:15 p.m.

Speaking to Patch from a celebration at his campaign headquarters, Evanston Township Supervisor candidate Gary Gaspard said he was thrilled to have taken a majority of the vote, according to unofficial results.

"The Evanston residents are the winners tonight," he said. "I'm ready to serve and will do my best not to disappoint them." 

Assuming he is officially elected, Gaspard said a citywide job fair would be among his first priorities. He also said he wanted to collect professional attire for job-seekers who couldn't otherwise afford it.

Reflecting on the fact that a majority of Evanston residents voted to abolish the township entirely last year, Gaspard said it was more complicated than simply a vote for or against the township.

"I don't really think they want the township to dissolve, I think they want to see a different township," he said. "I will work tirelessly to change the face of the township and I will cooperate with the trustees and the public and nonprofit organizations in town to move the township forward."

He said he hoped to bring greater collaboration and transparency to the township level, while saving the taxpayers money.

Update, 10:43 p.m.: Gaspard has 56.88% percent of the vote with all precincts reporting, according to unofficial results.

Update, 9:11 p.m.: Gaspard has 57 percent of the vote with 52 of 53 precincts reporting.

Update, 8:31 p.m.: Gary Gaspard appears to have a slim lead over Keith Banks in the race for Evanston Township Supervisor, although several 9 out of 53 precincts have yet to report their results.

RESULTS (UPDATED AS THEY COME IN TUESDAY NIGHT):

Note: Results do not include early voting, vote by mail or provisional ballots. Any votes for write-in candidates will not be counted until up to one week from the election.

Despite the fact that a majority of Evanston residents voted to abolish the township entirely last year, the office still exists. Newcomers Gary Gaspard and Keith Banks are running for township supervisor; current supervisor Patricia Vance decided not to run for re-election.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATES:

Banks is a tax consultant, executive director of the Evanston Community Development Association and an ordained elder with Restoration Christian Fellowship. If elected, he said he would analyze the township budget to "to ensure the most effective programs are being properly funded while cutting programs that are not performing," according to his website. 

Gaspard is an adolescent treatment counselor at Youth Outreach Services with a masters' degree from the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. If elected, he has said his emphasis would be on creating jobs and cutting costs at the township level, according to his website. 

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