Cabello Discovery Recount Underway

State Representative John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) lost to Rockford Democrat Dave Vella by 239 votes in the November election. Cabello has asked election authorities for a discovery recount in the race.

State Representative John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) lost to Rockford Democrat Dave Vella by 239 votes in the November election. Cabello has asked election authorities for a discovery recount in the race.

State Representative John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) lost his seat to Rockford Democrat Dave Vella by 239 votes in the November election. Cabello’s first step to challenge the outcome of the race is underway.

Cabello has asked the Rockford Election Commission and the Winnebago County Clerk for a discovery recount of 25-percent of precincts in the district. A discovery recount can’t change the outcome of a race, but any disparities would be used as evidence to ask a judge to order a full recount in the race.

The Rockford Election Commission began counting precincts Tuesday. The Winnebago County Clerk will count December 29th, according to County Clerk Lori Gummow.

Discovery recounts often reveal few changes in election results, but some, like a race for Macon County Sheriff in 2018, can drag on for years.

Cabello did not comment Tuesday while the discovery recount was ongoing.

Cabello is a Rockford Police Detective who was appointed to the seat in 2012 to replace Rep. Dave Winters.

NewsPatrick Pfingsten