From left: Matt Podgorski, Frank Coconate and Mark Hosty are competing in the Republican primary to succeed retiring Comm. Peter Silvestri (R-9) on the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Cook County Comm. Peter Silvestri (R-9) shocked the Chicago political world in January when he announced he would not run for an eighth term on the county’s Board of Commissioners, where his unique brand of centrism earned him deep popularity among his constituents and colleagues.

His announcement also sent a stampede of candidates into the open race for one of the only remaining Republican-controlled seats in Cook County government.