By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Keri Jo Schmidt, of Saunemin, announced her republican candidacy for Livingston County Coroner in the 2016 election yesterday.

In a press release, she said her primary experience is in emergency medicine, where she worked in emergency rooms in Joliet, Kankakee, and OSF St. James as a trauma nurse.  She has also been a Pre-hospital RN or field RN (equivalent to a paramedic) on Coal City Emergency Squad, and an EMS instructor with OSF.   Her latest RN position, her most favorite and fulfilling, was a hospice nurse for OSF Home Care.

Schmidt believes not only her education, but her experiences qualify her in dealing with people and situations she will encounter.

Schmidt will be running against Danny Watson of Flanagan, who is currently a 19-year deputy coroner for the county. Current and longtime coroner Michael P. Burke is not seeking re-election.