League of Women Voters Hosts Candidates Debates for Congressional, State, and County Races

While the presidential election is garnering a lot of attention, there are a number of contentious and hotly contested races locally. The League of Women Voters of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area is hosting two sets of debates for residents to learn about the candidates and issues. The first one is on Thurs., Oct. 13, with candidates for Lake County Board District #13 Sandy Hart vs. Ann Brennan, and candidates for Lake County offices of Coroner, Circuit Court Clerk, Recorder, and State's Attorney. The second set is on Sunday, Oct. 16 beginning with a rematch between Robert Dold and Brad Schneider for the nationally watched 10th Congressional race. It is followed by a contest featuring State Senator Julie Morrison vs. Benjamin Salzberg and State Representative Scott Drury vs. Martin Blumenthal.

The Thursday, Oct. 13 debate will take place at the Lake Bluff Recreation Center, 355 W. Washington Ave. 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6:45 pm. District #13 Lake County Board member Sandy Hart (D) is defending her seat against Ann Brennan (R). The District covers an area from Lake Bluff west to Gages Lake. The Lake County Board member also serves on the Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners.

The other races included are county wide officials. Controversy and law suits have spurred interest in the Coroner's and Circuit Court Clerk's races. The Coroner's debate features 3 candidates. Thomas Rudd is the incumbent and is a write-in. On the ballot are Howard Cooper (R) and Michael Donnenwirth (D). The Circuit Court Clerk race is between incumbent Keith Brin (R) and Erin Cartwright Weinstein (D). Running for Lake County State's Attorney are incumbent Mike Nerheim (R) and Matt Stanton (D). The final two, incumbent Mary Ellen Vanderventer (D) and Robert Haraden (R) are contenders for Recorder of Deeds.

On Sunday, Oct. 16, 1:30 (doors open at 1:00) Lake Forest High School, 1285 N. McKinley Rd. again is the site for a debate between current Congressman Robert Dold (R) and former Congressman Brad Schneider (D). This is the third time these candidates face each other. With all the experience between the two, this is an interesting and nuanced contest.

The candidates for the Illinois General Assembly take the stage next. They are the incumbent Julie Morrison (D) and Benjamin Salzberg (R) vying for State Senate 29th District, and incumbent Scott Drury (D) and Martin Blumenthal (R) running for the State Representative 58th District seat.

As all the races heat up, and election day nears, more questions arise. The League debates offer residents an opportunity to hear the candidates' answers in person. Questions are gathered from the audience.

The Oct. 16 Candidate Debate is being sponsored by four League of Women Voters local chapters in the 10th Congressional District. They are: LWV-Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area, LWV-Deerfield Area, LWV-Glenview/Glencoe, and LWV-Highland Park/Highwood. Once again, the Union League Club of Chicago will be co-sponsoring.

Both set of debates will be videotaped and shown on public access channels 17 and 19 in the Lake Forest area. Also the video will be posted on the website www.LWV-LFLB.org and on YouTube.

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The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan, political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information or to join, please visit our website www.lwv-lflb.org and follow us on Facebook. We welcome men and women of all ages to become members.