Deputy Coroner Laurie Brauer beat incumbent Coroner Steve Thuney 58-to-42 in the Champaign County Coroner race. Brauer won by 48,002 votes to Thuney’s 35,381.
“I am truly grateful for the support I’ve received from friends, family, coworkers, colleagues and the community during this campaign,” Brauer said in an email statement to The Daily Illini.
Brauer served as one of five Deputy Coroners in the office since 2021, previously working for the University’s Fire Service Institute, leading the Emergency Medical Services program.
Brauer and Thuney competed for the spot last winter following the retirement of Duane Northrup, the previous County Coroner. Thuney was ultimately appointed by the Champaign County Board and held a shortened term until the election.
When campaigning, Brauer said she planned on addressing two issues she saw with the current office leadership: a lack of clear procedures and compensation for workers. Brauer will take over the position on Dec. 1 of this year.
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“I’m looking forward to a cooperative transition from the appointed coroner to me and am already working on the platform I’ll be bringing into the office in December,” Brauer said.
