Vespa Leads Cusack in 10th Circuit Judge Race
Early returns show Mike Vespa with a wide lead over Circuit Judge Timothy Cusack for the open 10th Judicial Circuit seat.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Mike Vespa held 62 percent of the early vote, or 18,781 ballots, against 38 percent, or 11,350 ballots, for Timothy Cusack in the race for the open 10th Judicial Circuit seat. The early results do not include Election Day tallies.
Why it matters
The race determines who fills a circuit judge seat serving Peoria and surrounding counties in the 10th Judicial Circuit. Judges in Illinois are elected to circuit courts, while associate judges are selected by circuit judges.
Mike Vespa led with 18,781 votes, or 62 percent, against 11,350 votes, or 38 percent, for Timothy Cusack in early results. Election Day tallies had not yet been counted, leaving the final outcome unconfirmed.
The players
Mike Vespa
Mike Vespa is a former Peoria City Council member who led in early returns for the 10th Judicial Circuit seat.
Timothy Cusack
Timothy Cusack is a Circuit Judge who was appointed to his seat after Judge John Vespa retired and is seeking election in the race.
The details
Vespa is a former Peoria City Council member who opted not to seek reelection to that post. Cusack was appointed to the circuit judge seat after Judge John Vespa retired last year, and he is now seeking election to it.
Timeline
Last year: Judge John Vespa retired, leading to Cusack's appointment to the circuit judge seat.
November 3, 2026: Voters went to the polls in the 10th Circuit race.
November 4, 2026: Early returns showed Mike Vespa leading Cusack.
Political Context
Illinois selects circuit judges by election while associate judges are chosen by circuit judges, a structure this race operates within. Judges must win at least 60 percent of the vote to be retained, the threshold that several judges on the ballot also face.
The outcome determines which judge presides over circuit cases in Peoria and surrounding counties. Voters in the 10th Circuit will also decide whether several sitting judges are retained.
The takeaway
Judicial races often draw less attention than other contests, yet they shape who decides cases that affect residents directly. Checking results after Election Day counts can show the final outcome.
Further reading
Find more on the Elections race in Peoria and across the 10th Judicial Circuit.
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