Hinsdale resident Kari Galassi lost her DuPage County Board seat on Nov. 3, falling to Democrat Marcus King by 14 points in a race that reflected a countywide Democratic sweep.

King captured almost 57% of the vote (32,710) to Galassi's 43% (24,809) in the District 3 four-year seat, The Hinsdalean reported. The district covers all or parts of Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien and Willowbrook.

"It was an interesting night - not what we expected," Galassi told The Hinsdalean on Wednesday, Nov. 4. "I'm still trying to wrap my arms around it myself, to be frank."

Galassi said she did lead in Hinsdale precincts, a fact for which she said she was grateful.

"I did really feel the love and support from this community," she said. "It's such an amazing place. I've loved living here in Hinsdale."

She said text messages of encouragement on Election Day came from both Republicans and Democrats. She thanked those who supported her campaign, especially Cathy Hofmann.

"I never tried to serve in a partisan manner," Galassi said. "My goal was to do what I needed to do to get things done."

District 3's other seat also flipped

Galassi was not the only Republican to lose a District 3 seat. Brian Krajewski, a county board member since 2010, lost the two-year seat to Democrat Ericka Polanco-Webb, a Burr Ridge resident and Gower District 62 board member. Polanco-Webb won 59% of the vote (33,815) to Krajewski's 23,682, according to unofficial results reported by Patch.

Every Democrat on the ballot for a countywide office or county board seat won on Nov. 3, according to The Hinsdalean. Democrats expanded their county board majority from 12-6 to 17-1, Shaw Local reported. If results hold, Cindy Cronin Cahill will be the board's only Republican, Shaw Local reported.

In 2016, Liz Chaplin was the board's only Democrat.

"I've been writing about the blue wave in DuPage since 2018, and even I didn't see such an obliteration," Melissa Mouritsen, a political science professor at College of DuPage, told Shaw Local.

Democrats also reelected board Chairwoman Deb Conroy, who defeated Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, as we reported Nov. 4. The party flipped the treasurer's office, held the clerk's office and elected a sheriff.

Galassi says she'll stay engaged

Despite the loss, Galassi said she plans to remain in public life.

"I want to stay engaged," she said. "I love public service. I've always kind of found a project, whether it was the (D86) referendum or the NICU or helping others with their campaigns."

All results remain unofficial until the canvass.