DANVILLE — Vermilion County has known for a while it would be getting a new sheriff.
Pat Hartshorn, who has served as county sheriff for 36 years, announced in August of 2025 that he would be retiring at the end of his ninth term.
On Tuesday, the Republican voters chose John Thompson to represent them in November General Election as Thompson, a former Danville police officer and current Vermilion County 911 Center director, defeated Mike Hartshorn, the son of Pat Hartshorn and an investigations division captain in the sheriff’s department. The unofficial vote totals were 4,137 for Thompson and 2,154 for Hartshorn.
“Serving our community has been a priority in my life,’’ Thompson said. “With Sheriff Pat Hartshorn announcing his retirement, I felt now was the opportunity for me to fulfill a lifelong goal of running for Vermilion County Sheriff.’’
Thompson said before Tuesday’s election, “I am the more qualified candidate for sheriff because I bring a broad and proven background in public safety leadership, along with private-sector experience. My career spans emergency medical services, fire service, corrections, law enforcement, emergency communications, and business ownership, giving me a well-rounded understanding of leadership, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.’’
With his win on Tuesday, Thompson will now run against Hugh Sands, who went unopposed in the Democratic Primary.
In the other contested county-wide race, incumbent Darren Duncan defeated challenger Jason Whaling. Duncan’s unofficial vote total was 3,219, while Whaling’s was 2,917.
Before Tuesday’s election, Duncan proclaimed that he was running to continue the work he started in making Vermilion County financially sound and technologically current.
“With me watching the books, you can sleep soundly knowing your tax dollars are safe,’’ he said. “My goal has always been to treat the taxpayers’ money with the same level of care and scrutiny as I would my own.’’
Duncan will run unopposed in November as there wasn’t a Democrat challenger for County Treasurer.
The only referendum on the ballot in Vermilion County was for Vance Township voters. The referendum passed 219-47, allowing the township to legally take over ownership of Davis and Greenview cemeteries, as well as levy an imposed cemetery tax of .075 percent on the assessed evaluation of the township to maintain both sites.
OTHER CONTESTED RACES
Larry Baughn Jr. defeated Terry S. Prillaman 746-472 for the County Board 1st District.
Kevin Bodine defeated Tonya S. Hill 794-640 for the County Board 3rd District.
Brad Allan Watson defeated Phillip G. Jackson 394-314 for the County Board 5th District 4-year term.
Timothy Morgan defeated Christine L. LaMar 351-340 for the County Board 7th District.
Note that all vote totals are unofficial.