McHenry Grade School Board and Library Board member Republican John O’Neill has been bold enough to announce the first challenge in years.

Incumbent Democrat State Representative Jack Franks seems determined to nip the challenge in the bud.

Saturday Franks was knocking on doors in John O’Neill’s McHenry precinct.

He also had volunteers out helping him protect this Democratic Party “franchise.”

Franks’ strategy pretty obviously is to try to make sure O’Neill can’t even carry his own precinct.

He probably figures that would discourage a series challenge, if he runs for Congress in a McHenry County-dominated district.

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John O’Neill can be seen top left.  Jack Franks is bottom right.  Both photos were taken at the Patriots United meeting on gambling, which was held at the Woodstock VFW.  Franks spoke.  O’Neill gathered petition signatures after the meeting.