Wednesday, December 20, 2023
In this Issue: Wishing All Who Celebrate a Joyous Holiday Season ● End-of-the-Year Letter from Lake Dems Chair Lauren Beth Gash (Not a Fundraising Letter) ● Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart’s Statement on Trump’s “Poisoning the Blood” Anti-Immigrant Remark ● Attention: Democratic Veterans ● Biden Delegate Slates Need Petition Signatures Now! ● Reminder: Starting Today You Can Request Vote-By-Mail ● Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) Announces His 2023 Holiday Card ● Lake Dems Attend Past Events ● ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ● Upcoming Events
The Lake Dems Weekly Update team will be taking a break so that we may all spend time celebrating the season with family and friends. We hope you are able to do the same. Watch for the first issue of the New Year on January 3, 2024.
Wishing All Who Celebrate a Joyous Holiday Season!
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End-of-the-Year Letter from Lake Dems Chair Lauren Beth Gash (Not a Fundraising Letter)
Electing Democrats up and down the ballot has never been more important. Whether it’s the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the gun violence epidemic, Trump’s increasingly disturbing behavior, or countless examples from just the last few years that show how Democratic and Republican party priorities and values differ, there is so much at stake in 2024. Whether the race is for city council or president of the United States, no matter how strongly we feel that voters should reject right-wing extremism, we can’t take anything for granted. And here in Lake County, we aren’t.
We’re very proud of what’s been accomplished recently. The simple but important fact is that those positive results didn’t come from nowhere. Our candidates were successful for many reasons. Our recruiting was strong and our candidates were incredible, Democrats who’ve been elected have done a great job — and that has been conveyed to voters. Democrats are good on the issues that actually matter, and Republicans clearly are not.
This past election cycle, Lake Dems’ extensive voter turnout program successfully brought many more voters to the polls. The program included a mailing to sporadic voters who are predicted to be Democrats but don’t consistently vote in midterm elections; a large text banking, phone banking, and door knocking program; ads on social media firing up the pro-choice vote; and so much more. And you can be sure that, with your help, we’ll be doing all this and more in 2024.
Thank you to our candidates who have put themselves forward to represent us. As I’ve said before, even our candidates who fell short in the election results were winners. They made a difference by softening the ground and engaging volunteers in formerly dark red areas, turning out voters who then helped our countywide and statewide candidates win.
It is because of the dedicated organizing of our Lake Dems team that we are able to succeed in electing people who share our values. Thanks to all of our Lake Dems volunteers, contributors, and supporters for everything you do to help elect Democrats! It takes a lot of hard work by many people and being there for one another. I’m so, so grateful.
Lake County Democrats are phenomenal. We’ve stood up to right-wing candidates for all sorts of offices who’d roll back rights and take us to a dark place. We won’t go back — we can’t go back.</strong I’ll keep working hard to protect our democracy, and I know you will too. There’s just too much at stake not to. Let’s roll up our sleeves and win together in 2024.
As 2023 comes to a close, my hope is that the New Year brings peace to our world.
Lauren
Lauren Beth Gash
Chair, Lake County Democrats
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart’s Statement on Trump’s “Poisoning the Blood” Anti-Immigrant Remark
On Monday, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart issued a statement in response to former President Trump’s remarks from this past Saturday. Trump said undocumented immigrants were “poisoning the blood of our country,” echoing statements made by Hitler.
In the statement Rinehart said, “In attacking immigrants over the weekend, Donald Trump used evil and racist rhetoric that directly quoted Hitler, the Nazis, and other white supremacists. Aside from this despicable language, he also specifically stated that the government should use religious tests in this country.”
“As the Lake County State’s Attorney, I am particularly concerned about how Trump’s rhetoric is driving hate crimes. Our office has charged more hate crime cases in the last three years than the prior 10 years combined. Hate has no home in Lake County, and it should have no home in the second most popular political party in the United States.”
Click here to read State’s Attorney Rinehart’s statement in its entirety.
** Please help the Lake County Democrats continue our momentum at such a crucial juncture by donating at lakedems.org/contribute or sending a check to P.O. Box 671, Lake Zurich, IL 60047 **
Attention: Democratic Veterans
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We’re organizing our Lake County Democrats’ Veterans Committee and will be meeting in January.
If you’re a veteran and a Democrat, please let us know if you are interested by signing up here. |
Reminder: Starting Today You Can Request Vote-By-Mail
Last week we told you about the benefits of voting by mail.
This is a reminder that if you wish to request a Vote-By-Mail ballot for the March 19, 2024 Primary Election, you can do so today by going to Lake County Voter Power and following the on-screen instructions.
Or you could choose to sign up to receive a Vote-By-Mail ballot ahead of every future election, including the March 19, 2024 primary, by completing an application for Permanent Vote-By-Mail here.
Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) Announces His 2023 Holiday Card
Reflecting Congressman Schneider’s expanded 10th District, the card includes photos from Glencoe, North Chicago, Spring Grove, and Antioch.
Lake Dems Attend Past Events
Holiday Cocktails in Support of State Senators Adriane Johnson and Mary Edly-Allen
The spirit of the season filled the air as (pictured above L-R) State Senator Mary Edly-Allen, special guest Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, and State Senator Adriane Johnson were joined by Lake County elected officials, candidates, supporters and Lake Dems volunteers in Green Oaks. (See more photos below.)
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Wauconda Township Democrats December Meeting
Elected officials, candidates, and fellow Lake Dems joined Wauconda Township Dems to celebrate the season and talk politics in Wauconda.
Fremont Democrats Holiday Potluck
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Fremont Township Democrats gathered for a holiday potluck in Mundelein.
Ela Township Democrats Holiday Get-Together
Ela Township Dems Chair C.J. Schmidt hosted a holiday gathering at his home.
Lake Dems Holiday Party
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With only one week’s notice, nearly 100 Democrats signed up to attend our impromptu holiday party! More photos below.
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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
U.S. Supreme Court Leaves Illinois Semiautomatic Gun Ban In Place
The Biden-Harris Agenda Delivered Meaningful Progress for Hardworking Americans in 2023
Lake County Clerk’s Office Announces Increased Compensation for Pollworkers
Upcoming Events
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20
Indivisible Western Lake County (IWLC) December Meeting. 7-8:30pm, Lindenhurst. More.
For the complete list of Upcoming Events, go to lakedems.org/events.
Click here to submit your event for consideration.
How Do I Join Lake County Democrats?
Lake County Democrats is made up of people like you, people who are passionate about building better communities and a better world. We’re a grassroots political organization, working with Democrats in all parts of Lake County – from Antioch to Highland Park, Libertyville to Waukegan, Barrington to Zion. Become a member online now, (individual: $35/couples $60 – though more is always appreciated), or send a check payable to Lake County Democrats to P.O. Box 671, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Questions? Contact info@lakedems.org..
