The Nov. 6 elections feature several openly gay and lesbian candidates for office. (All of the candidates are in the Democratic party.)
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Download the four pages of the printable election guide charts at the following links:
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—Kelly Cassidy
Race: State House (14th District)
Web site: CitizensForKellyCassidy.com
The skinny: An incumbent, Cassidy defeated another lesbian, Paula Basta, in the March primary. Cassidy is unopposed in the general election.
—Greg Harris
Race: Illinois State Representative (13th District)
Web site: GregHarris.org
The skinny: Harris’ district includes Uptown, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, North Center and Bowmanville, and was first elected in 2006. He is currently running unopposed.
—Deb Mell
Race: Illinois State Representative (40th District)
Web site: DebMell.org
The skinny: A staunch advocate for marriage equality, Mell faces Republican Antoinette “Toni” Puccio-Johnson in the general election.
—John Ehlrich
Race: Cook County Circuit Court Judge
(Eighth Subcircuit, Cole vacancy)
Web site: EhrlichForJudge.com
The skinny: As deputy corporation counsel in the City of Chicago’s law department, Ehrlich oversees almost three dozen attorneys and a staff of 15. He’s personally handled cases such as the Wrightwood porch collapse and the E2 nightclub tragedy. However, he is now set to become a judge, as he is running unopposed.
—John Dalton
Race: 16th Circuit Court, Kane, “A” vacancy
Web site: JohnDaltonForJudge.com
The skinny: Dalton would be the first openly gay judge elected outside of Cook County if he prevails. He’s pitted against Republican John N. Walters.
—Debra Shore
Race: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board
Web site: DebraShore.org
The skinny: Shore has been on the board since 2006. One of nine elected commissioners, she chairs the committees on stormwater management and state legislation and rules.
—Andrea M. Schleifer
Race: Cook County Circuit Court Judge
(12th Subcircuit, Rochford vacancy)
Web site: ElectJudgeSchleifer.org
The skinny: A resident of Des Plaines, Schleifer has been serving as a Cook County judge at the Richard J. Daley Center for more than a year. She is running against Republican James Pieczonka.
—Sam Yingling
Race: State House (62nd District)
Web site: SamYingling.com
The skinny: Yingling is a native of central Lake County and lives in Round Lake Beach, and is running in what he calls an “independent” district. He attended DePaul University, studying public policy and administration, and metropolitan land use (urban planning). He’s running against Republican incumbent Sandy Cole.
—Chris Boyster
Race: Sangamon County auditor
Web site: ChrisBoyster.com
The skinny: If he wins, Boyster will be the second out person in Illinois to hold a non-judicial county-wide seat. (Shore is the only one so far.)
—Mary Colleen Roberts
Race: Cook County judge (retention)
Web site: None
The skinny: Roberts, a judge on the Cook County 11th Subcircuit, was elected in 2006.
—Mike McHale
Race: Cook County judge (retention)
Web site: None
The skinny: Like Roberts, McHale was elected in 2006.
—Colleen Sheehan
Race: Cook County judge (retention)
Web site: None
The skinny: Sheehan was first elected in 2000.