Don't Vote For Lauren Staley-Ferry: Newspaper Endorsement

JOLIET, IL - One of this month's most hotly contested primary races in Will County government is the battle to become Will County's Clerk. County Board member Lauren Staley-Ferry of Joliet is running for the Democratic nomination against Denise Mushro-Rumchak of Crest Hill. Both women are seeking to fill the elected office of long-time incumbent Nancy Schultz Voots who is retiring.

A total of three candidates filed papers to hold the office in this year's election. The winner of the Democratic primary will compete against Laurie McPhillips of Plainfield, a Republican, in the November general election.

The Arlington Heights Daily Herald Editorial Board determined that Staley-Ferry is not the best candidate for the voters of Will County to elect in the March 20 Democratic primary. The Daily Herald is one of the state's largest and most reputable newspapers.

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Its recent endorsement of Mushro-Rumchak pointed out that "Staley-Ferry declined to be interviewed for an endorsement, saying it conflicted with her county board duties. However, she also never followed-up when offered other times to discuss her candidacy."

Denise Mushro-Rumchak

Moreover, The Daily Herald endorsement declared that "Mushro-Rumchak is clearly the most qualified candidate in the race."

When Staley-Ferry was in her twenties, she was charged with a felony crime of forgery when she lived in Arizona. However, Staley-Ferry was able to avoid being prosecuted for the crime by fleeing Arizona. She moved to Wisconsin before returning to her hometown of Joliet.

Her criminal case never went to trial in Arizona. Police accused her of forging a $500 check from her employer, Michael Hingston. These days, she is a member of the Will County Board. Her husband, Ed, is an electrician for the city of Joliet and a member of IBEW Local 176.

The top of Staley-Ferry's campaign website continues to proclaim "INTEGRITY AND FAIRNESS."

ORIGINAL STORY: Forgery Distracts Lauren Staley-Ferry's County Clerk Campaign

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Images of Lauren Staley-Ferry and Denise Mushro-Rumchak provided to Patch