Incumbent exits race for Wilmette Village Board, leaving 4 for 3 spots

Wilmette Trustee Kate Gjaja has ended her candidacy for reelection, she told The Record via email on Wednesday.

Gjaja, a first-term trustee, said she and her family will be spending more time in Detroit, where her husband, Marin, works for Ford Motor Company. Marin Gjaja began working for Ford in 2022 and recently received a promotion to become the company’s chief strategy officer.

“We have decided it is best for our family for me to have more flexibility to spend time there,” Gjaja wrote. “I do not want to run for a second term if I do not believe I have the time, energy and focus to do the job to the best of my ability.”

Gjaja’s decision makes the race for the Wilmette Village Board a four-person contest for three available seats. Justin Sheperd is now the lone incumbent on the ballot, and Michael Lieber, Ryrie Pellaton and Mark Steen join him.

Trustee Kathy Dodd, whose seat is also expiring, has termed out of office after two four-year terms. Village President Senta Plunkett is running unopposed to retain her chair.

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