On March 19, 2024, just a few months from now, Illinois will hold its primary election. Let’s dig into the candidates for office in the Waukegan area.
Countywide Candidates
Circuit Court Clerk
Lake County Circuit Court Clerk Erin Cartwright Weinstein is running for reelection, uncontested in the Democratic Primary Election. No Republicans have filed in this race, but Lake County Republicans can and likely will slate a candidate to run against the incumbent Circuit Court Clerk.
County Coroner
Incumbent Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek does not have a Democratic Primary Election challenger, but she will face off against Republican Mark A. Symonds in the November general election.
County State’s Attorney
A hot race that many Lake County residents are watching closely is the race for Lake County State’s Attorney. Up for reelection is incumbent Democrat Eric Rinehart. Rinehart, who defeated Republican Mike Nerheim four years ago, will face Republican newcomer Mary Cole. Cole was a former Assistant State’s Attorney under Nerheim. Notably Rinehart was the only Illinois County State's Attorney to support allowing no bail release of criminals, besides controversial Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx who chose to not seek reelection.
Lake County Board Candidates
District 8
Running for Lake County Board is long-time incumbent Diane Hewitt, who, as of this writing, is expecting a Democratic Primary challenge from Charles A. Rukstales. Rukstales petitions are being objected to, and it’s possible he will lose his place on the ballot. No Republican challenge is expected.
District 9
After expecting a challenge from lightning rod Waukegan Alderperson Jose A. Guzman, County Board Vice Chair Mary Ross Cunningham will not have a primary challenger. Cunningham, a respected long-time ally of County Board Chair Sandra Hart, should not expect a Republican challenge in November 2024.
Illinois Senate
Illinois Senate 31
Democratic Senator Mary Edly-Allen has served since 2023 in the Illinois Senate after serving in the Illinois House. Edly-Allen’s district runs as far west as Round Lake Beach, as far south as Libertyville, and north to the Wisconsin state border, with some Waukegan residents in the district. Edly-Allen does not have a primary opponent, but she could face a GOP challenge if Republicans slate a candidate against her for the general election.
Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois House 59
Democratic State Representative Daniel Didech is up for election again. His district takes in parts of the western area of Waukegan. Didech has been in office since 2019, has not had a Democratic Primary Election, and is set to face Chris Hennings of Mundelein in the general election.
Illinois House 60
Rita Mayfield, the long-time Democratic incumbent, will not face a primary election challenge. Mayfield will likely not have a slated Republican facing her in November 2024. Over a decade ago, Waukegan Alderperson Keith E. Turner challenged Mayfield, whom she trampled in the general election.
Illinois House 61
Joyce Mason, a Democrat from Gurnee, has no primary election opponent. She will face James Creighton Mitchell Jr. Mitchell is a frequent candidate who has run for County Board, Congress, President of the United States and now has his eyes on facing incumbent Mason in November 2024. Notably, in 2016, while running for the presidency of the United States, Mitchell took the oath as a member of the Oath Keepers. This organization had at least twelve members facing charges of sedition for their involvement in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Illinois House 62
