Editor’s note: This article is part of a series profiling the candidates running for Henry County Board. Look for more candidate profiles this week.
Henry County voters will head to the polls Nov. 3 to elect members of the County Board and other local offices.
Early voting has been underway since September, giving residents an opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Candidates were invited to complete a questionnaire about their backgrounds, priorities and reasons for seeking office. The following profiles are based on their submitted responses and have been edited for length and clarity.
Carmen Sedlock is seeking election to the Henry County Board, saying she wants to help ensure county government remains fiscally responsible while supporting economic growth.
Sedlock works for Sedlock Construction, where she oversees finance and accounting, scheduling, audits, marketing, customer support and office management. She and her husband, Jason, have three daughters, ages 30, 27 and 21, as well as three dogs: Sebastian, Luna and Thor.
Sedlock is active in mentoring women in the Scott County prison system through a program now overseen by Lives of Legacy.
She said she was initially not interested in running for office but decided to enter the race after being encouraged by several current county board members who believed she would be a good fit for the position.
If elected, Sedlock said her priorities would include ensuring county finances are managed responsibly, supporting economic development and listening to the concerns of residents in her district.
“I would make sure finances are being spent responsibly,” Sedlock said. “I would support and advocate for economic growth. Most importantly, I would listen to the people in my district and prioritize their concerns and hopes for our communities.”
Bill Preston is seeking a seat on the Henry County Board, saying he wants to bring greater political diversity to county government and increase transparency for taxpayers.
Preston is a retired engineer who worked for John Deere. He remains active in the community through the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities, where he supports social and environmental justice initiatives. He also attends and supports events throughout Henry County and says he makes a point to shop locally whenever possible.
Preston said he decided to run because he believes the County Board should reflect a broader range of viewpoints.
“I’m running to achieve diversity because the Henry County Board is dominated by the Republican Party,” Preston said.
If elected, Preston said one of his primary goals would be increasing public awareness of how county tax dollars are spent.
“I want the voters to know how their tax money is really spent, or in some cases, not spent,” Preston said.
Maggie Jo Wheeler of Annawan has announced her candidacy for the Henry County Board’s District 2 seat, saying she wants to bring a community-focused approach to county government.
A stay-at-home mother, Wheeler previously worked in banking, sales and hospitality. She and her husband, Joshua, have two children and a German shepherd puppy. She is also involved with the Annual Annawan Thanksgiving Dinner.
Wheeler said her experience working in banking opened her eyes to the financial challenges many local residents face, particularly seniors and low-income families.
“While working in banking, I saw firsthand how seniors and low-income families struggle to keep up with bills, taxes, groceries and energy costs,” Wheeler said. “I witnessed seniors forced to live for two weeks on just $47, right here in our community. At that time, I decided I wanted to get more involved.”
Wheeler said rising costs, political division and other challenges have reinforced her desire to serve the community.
“We have become so polarized that we have forgotten we are neighbors and family, and in these times, we need each other,” she said. “Who you choose to represent you shouldn’t be dictated by red or blue, but by character.”
Describing herself as someone who is willing to listen and stand up for local residents, Wheeler said she would focus on protecting quality of life in Henry County.
If elected, Wheeler said she would oppose projects she believes could negatively impact local communities, including data center developments, carbon capture projects and landfill expansions.
“Instead, I will support strengthening our care systems for veterans, children and seniors,” Wheeler said. “Our success as a county depends entirely on the strength of our community.”
Wheeler said she would be honored to earn voters’ support and serve the residents of Henry County’s District 2.
Incumbent District 1 Henry County Board member Bob Wachtel is seeking re-election, highlighting his support for law enforcement, fiscal responsibility and economic development.
A Geneseo resident, Wachtel is a U.S. Army Reserve veteran, retired high school teacher and former owner of a painting business. He and his wife, Mary, a retired elementary school teacher, have been married for 58 years. They have three children: Jay, a high school principal; Lori, a high school special education teacher; and Kevin, a computer systems consultant.
Wachtel is a member of St. Malachy Church and supports several community organizations, including Circa ’21 and local athletics booster programs.
If re-elected, Wachtel said he plans to continue supporting Henry County’s law enforcement officers and first responders, while working to keep tax rates as low as practical. He also said improving Hillcrest Home and encouraging economic development remain key priorities.
“My goals are to maintain a strong law-and-order reputation, keep improving Hillcrest Home and keep our tax rate as low as practical,” Wachtel said.
