After interviewing each candidate, hosting meet and greets, plus a series of candidate forums, the 1st Ward Dems are proud to endorse the following candidates...

US Senate: Juliana Stratton

 

Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton has spent years fighting for working people. Her lived experience lends crucial insight and allows her to relate to the challenges everyday Illinois families are facing. She visited the 1st Ward for a small business tour and the 1st Ward Dems found her to be incredibly smart and focused while always down to Earth and grounded.

 

Her campaign promises include fighting to raise the Federal minimum wage to $25, secure Medicare for All, and abolish ICE – and she’s running a strong community-based ground game, instead of leaning on Corporate PAC money. There is something incredibly calming and comforting about Juliana – even when she is fired up. She comes from humble beginnings and leads with compassion. But she is a fighter who doesn’t back down as evidenced in recent candidate forums which she dominated. She’s relatable and a person who can do extraordinary things to help our community. It’s an honor to endorse her.

 

State Comptroller: Margaret Croke

 

Now more than ever, we need a steady hand at the wheel of our finances in the state of Illinois. The federal government is slashing benefits left and right and making no secret of their intention to further retaliate against blue states by withholding aid further. Margaret Croke is that steady hand Illinois needs in the Comptroller’s office — despite juggling the busy schedule of three adorable kiddos, Margaret always shows up calm and clear-eyed. Her commitment to fiscal responsibility during her five years in the State House, and her experience as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity lead us to believe she is the best choice to lead us through what could end up being a very strained period for Illinois finances. 

 

It’s also worth noting how important her commitment to transparency and accountability are as one of the Comptrollers top responsibilities is to act as a watchdog. If the punitive budget cuts continue from Trump it will be vital that we have a high level of transparency and honesty from the Comptroller’s office so that Illinoisans understand how we got into this situation and how hard our state government is working to creatively stretch taxpayer dollars as far as they can go to make up the difference. We highly endorse Margaret Croke for her level-headedness and deep understanding of fiscal management to navigate us through this current administration.

 

Cook County Assessor: Pat Hynes

 

Pat Hynes understands that the Assessor’s office isn’t just about numbers — it’s about fairness, transparency, and whether families can afford to stay in their homes. The decline in commercial/office space values in this country is hitting Chicago especially hard but our property tax system is not helping. Late bills, lop-sided redistribution and scores of missing properties from the tax rolls are making an unfavorable situation even worse. These are not just “growing pains” and frankly; this is not a moment where working Chicagoans can afford these expensive missteps. 

 

Pat has built a reputation as a serious, reform-minded public servant who brings both policy expertise and neighborly concern to the job. 

 

There has been chatter about campaign funding in this race and we want to be frank about our opinion on that: campaigns are incredibly expensive, and our campaign finance system is broken. Countless talented potential candidates who are driven solely by a desire to do the work of the people never get their campaigns off the ground because our system is tilted to favor people who have access to capital. One candidate in this race is independently wealthy and self-funding, another is accepting donations from individuals who work in the housing sector. Anyone could have a reasonable issue with either of these things but here’s where we land: After getting to know Pat Hynes as a person, not just a candidate, we chose to endorse him based on his professional acumen but also his honest, upstanding and caring nature. 

 

Cook County Board of Review, District 2: Liz Nicholson

 

Liz Nicholson is the kind of candidate you hope runs for public office: deeply rooted in the community, unafraid to challenge the status quo, and focused on making government work for regular people. The Board of Review plays a critical role in protecting taxpayers and ensuring the property tax system isn’t rigged against homeowners, renters, and small businesses. Liz brings the judgment, work ethic, and values needed to fight for fairness — and to make sure appeals are handled transparently and responsibly. We are proud to endorse Liz Nicholson for Cook County Board of Review, District 2.

 

Cook County Commissioner: 12th Dist - Elizabeth Granato

 

Elizabeth Granato is a strong, values-driven leader who understands what’s at stake in Cook County — and what county government can do when it’s run with competence and compassion. Elizabeth is running to deliver results on the issues that matter most: public safety rooted in prevention, investments in health and mental health care, protecting working families, and ensuring every community gets its fair share of resources. 

 

We are lucky to have good candidates running in this race, so an endorsement was hard to reach. We held a candidate forum to hear from all the candidates on important issues. What pushed the 1st Ward Dems in Liz’ direction is her meaningful experience at the County and deep understanding of how government functions, where the levers of power lie and how to creatively disrupt the backlogs of bureaucracy. This is the moment we need that exact person on the County Board – Elizabeth Granato is endorsed for Cook County Commissioner, 12th District.

 

A Note on All Judicial Races This Cycle:

 

Judicial races are hard in any cycle but this election is seeing the greatest federal and local turnover we have seen in a long time, which makes paying attention to these races even more crucial. Polling shows that the majority of Americans now view the Supreme Court as partisan and Trump has shown no shame in appointing unqualified political allies to federal judgeships. There is hope, however, in local courts. For instance, it was the appellate court that issued the order requiring Greg Bovino to appear daily for in-person court check-ins during "Operation Midway Blitz".

 

These races matter so much but get very little attention. They aren’t the ones that are inundating you with mailers, digital ads, television commercials or public debates. For the majority of Americans, we only meet Judges in our toughest moments, when a case or dispute is brought before a representative of the government. However, it’s important to understand that as an administrator of the law, there can be no bias or prejudice. Who we chose to represent and enact our laws, especially in these times, is crucial. The 1st Ward Dems judicial endorsements are below. I encourage you to do intense research on all judges, in every race.

 

Judge of Cook County’s 8th Subcircuit (Gamrath Vacancy): Kathleen Cunniff Ori

 

Kathleen Ori brings the kind of courtroom experience and steady temperament we should demand from our judges. She has built her career around the belief that the justice system must be fair, consistent, and rooted in respect for every person who enters a courtroom — regardless of wealth, background, or power. Kathleen understands that being a judge isn’t about politics or headlines; it’s about judgment, preparation, and treating every case with the seriousness it deserves. We are proud to endorse Kathleen Ori for Judge in the 8th Subcircuit.

 

Judge of Cook County’s 8th Subcircuit (Mikvah Vacancy): Katherine Carole Morrison

 

Katherine Morrison is running to be the kind of judge Cook County needs right now: thoughtful, prepared, and deeply committed to justice that is both fair and humane. She brings strong legal experience and a clear understanding of how the courts affect real people’s lives — from families navigating crisis to everyday residents trying to be heard. Katherine has the integrity, work ethic, and even-handed approach needed to serve on the bench with distinction. We are proud to endorse Katherine Morrison for Judge in the 8th Subcircuit.

 

Cook County Circuit Court: Luz Toledo

 

Luz Toledo represents the best of what we want on the Cook County bench: sharp legal skills, deep community roots, and a commitment to fairness that isn’t just theoretical — it’s lived. She understands the real-world consequences of the justice system and the responsibility judges carry to treat people with dignity while applying the law carefully and consistently. Luz Toledo will bring experience, balance, and strong judgment to the Circuit Court. We are proud to endorse Luz Toledo for Cook County Circuit Court Judge.

 

Cook County Circuit Court: Eva George Stewart

 

Eva George Stewart brings a powerful combination of legal strength and human understanding to her candidacy for Cook County Circuit Court Judge. She is the kind of candidate who recognizes that the courtroom is often where people encounter government at its most consequential — and that judges must be prepared, patient, and principled. Eva’s background reflects a serious commitment to justice and to doing the work the right way. We are proud to endorse Eva George Stewart for Cook County Circuit Court Judge.

 

Cook County Circuit Court: Michael Carbonagi

 

Michael Carbonagi is a serious legal professional who understands that the role of a judge is to be fair, consistent, and grounded in both the law and basic respect for the people in the courtroom. Cook County needs judges who are prepared, impartial, and able to handle complex cases with care and professionalism. Michael Carbonagi has the experience and temperament to do exactly that and has been showing up in our communities, engaging with neighbors for years. I am confident that level of accessibility and transparency will continue when he is on the bench. We are proud to endorse Michael Carbonagi for Cook County Circuit Court Judge.

 

Cook County Circuit Court: Steve McKenzie

 

Steve McKenzie is the kind of candidate who brings both credibility and clarity to the role of judge. His legal experience and commitment to fairness reflect the values we need on the Cook County Circuit Court: thoughtful decision-making, a steady hand, and a strong belief that justice should not depend on who you are or what resources you have. Steve McKenzie will serve with integrity and seriousness. We are proud to endorse Steve McKenzie for Cook County Circuit Court Judge.