Weekly Update Newsletter: Votes Are In!

Votes Are In and Democrats Outnumber Republicans!

Yesterday’s Primary Election showed that Democrats far outnumber Republicans in Lake County. Voters overwhelmingly endorsed President Joe Biden as our nominee, giving him over 94% of the vote. Many more people voted for Democrats than Republicans (60% compared to 40%), giving our candidates many more votes than their Republican counterparts. Democrats are looking strong and our hard work is paying off. There’s too much at stake to sit on the sidelines.

Looking for results? Go to the Lake County Clerk’s Election Results website.

Dear Fellow Democrats,

Democrats are in a strong position in Lake County. Thank you to everyone who helped with the Primary Election, whether by knocking on doors, making phone calls, handing out campaign literature, contributing money, staffing our Election Protection Team by answering the Voter Assistance Hotline and watching the polls at voting sites all over Lake County, running for office, and by voting! We Democrats know we have to work hard to protect the progress we’ve made, and even democracy itself. And Tuesday was a good sign.

In Lake County, many more Democratic ballots were pulled than Republican ones. And Democrats voted up and down the ballot, compared to Republicans who were more likely to ignore offices other than President.

Thanks to the consistent efforts over several election cycles to organize activists and reach voters, Lake County continues to grow much more Democratic. Because of our unity and organization, people know about the great job our Democratic elected officials have done, so voters don’t skip our candidates when they have an opportunity to show their support instead.

But while Lake County continues to trend more Democratic, and MAGA Republicans turn off more and more voters with their extremism, we can’t take anything for granted. Though we soundly defeated Trump in 2020, we can’t forget our feelings of despair the day after the 2016 election. The other side is motivated and will say and do anything to get their right-wing extremists into office at all levels of government. The general election will be tough – but we’re ready for the fight. Let’s go, Democrats!

–Lauren

Lauren Beth Gash
Lake County Democrats, Chair

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Lake County Democrats “A Mammoth Presence” at Lake Villa St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The blustery cold didn’t stop Lake County Democrats from participating in the Lake Villa St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Under the leadership of Lake Villa Township Democrats Chair Kasia Kondracki, the turnout was an impressive display of Democratic commitment. The large contingent of Lake County Democrats included Lake Villa Township Democrats, Antioch Township Democrats, Grant Township Democrats, the Veterans Committee of the Lake County Democrats, Indivisible Western Lake County, and Democrats from all over Lake County. Many attendees, including the Lake County News Dispatch, took notice!

Many elected officials and candidates including Congressman Brad Schneider, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, Circuit Court Clerk Erin Cartwright Weinstein, Lake County Democrats Chair Lauren Beth Gash, College of Lake County Trustee Allena Barbato, State Central Committeeman Tom Maillard, and County Board candidates Hilary Winiarz and Michael Conway talked to voters and passed out campaign literature and candy to parade attendees.

Enjoy more photos from the parade at the end of this newsletter.

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Tenth Congressional District Democrats Summer Internship 2024

If you are looking to put your progressive values to meaningful work this summer, have we got a deal for you! Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) is now accepting applications for its Summer 2024 Internship Program.

The internship is a substantive program designed for high school, college, and graduate/law students seeking an opportunity to become deeply engaged in the political process.

Tenth Dems interns provide support for Lake, Cook, and McHenry County Democratic events, candidates, and elected officials. Click here for more about the program and how to apply.

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March is Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, Lake Dems celebrates Democratic women in our past, present, and future who have led and will continue to lead with strength and courage in protecting values important to us.

Kamala Harris (b. 1964), has made groundbreaking progress since she took office. The first South Asian and second Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate (2016), Harris then became the first woman, Black American, and South Asian American to be elected vice president.

In her role as VP, Harris has worked tirelessly to advance opportunity, deliver for families, and protect fundamental freedoms across the country. She has been at the forefront of the struggle for women’s rights over their own bodies; the right to be safe from gun violence; the right to vote; and the right to clean water and air. Harris has acted as our global representative, meeting with more than 150 world leaders to strengthen critical worldwide alliances. Our vice president has been a trusted partner to President Joe Biden as they work together to deliver life-changing achievements for millions of Americans.

Nancy Pelosi (b.1940), served as the 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives, having made history in 2007 when she “broke the marble ceiling” and was elected the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House by her colleagues. She made history again in January 2019 when she regained her position – the first person to do so in more than six decades. Pelosi is the chief architect of generation-defining legislation under two Democratic administrations, including the Affordable Care Act (Obama 2010) and the American Rescue Plan (Biden 2021). Pelosi has represented San Francisco in Congress for 36 years.

We also celebrate our Democratic women running for office in Lake County this year, but NOT ANY Republican women – think Phyllis Schlafly, Sarah Palin, Majorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert – who fight for a party that wants to take away our reproductive freedoms, insists on doing nothing to prevent gun violence or save our democracy. History will remember Democrats for their hard work and dedication to preserving our democracy and promoting Democratic priorities. Many thanks to those running for reelection to continue to serve, and especially to those running for the first time, for taking a risk and putting themselves forward:

Visit WomensHistoryMonth.gov to read more about the vital contributions of women in our nation’s history.

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Members of Congress Representing Lake County Host Important Events

Brad Schneider’s Women for Brad Luncheon, May 19, 2024

Join Congressman Brad Schneider at his 2024 Women for Brad Luncheon in Northbrook. Doors open at 11:00am. RSVP here. For additional information, contact Eli Krule at eli@schneiderforcongress.com.

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Jan Schakowsky’s Annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch, Friday, May 10, 2024 H6

You’re invited to join Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky for her 2024 Annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch. Register here to join our Lake Dems tables for this always-inspiring event! Enter Lake Dems or Lauren Beth Gash in the Specific Table Request field when you register – it pops up after the payment screen.

 

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Lake Dems Attend Events

We are grateful to our Democratic township organizations that send event photos to info@lakedems.org for sharing in our newsletter. Have an event coming up? Please click here to submit your event for posting on our website and in this publication.

Cookies and Conversation at Lake County Democratic Waukegan Headquarters During ArtWauk

Last Saturday, at the Lake County Democratic Waukegan Headquarters, people from around Lake County joined us for our latest edition of Cookies & Conversation. These events are an opportunity to talk with like-minded Democrats about the 2024 election — an important piece of our fight to protect reproductive freedom, prevent gun violence, and save our democracy.

By the end of the discussion, folks were energized and eager to help. The event took place during Waukegan’s monthly ArtWauk, a festive monthly event in the Waukegan Arts & Entertainment District, where our office is located.

We’ll be having these casual discussions throughout the year all over Lake County as we head toward the November election. If you’d like to help plan or host a conversation in your area, reply to this email or email info@lakedems.org with “Conversation” in the subject line.

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Volunteer Spotlight

Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers. Click here if you’re interested in helping.

A huge thanks to our amazing Election Judges who work long hours, especially on Election Day, to make sure the voting process runs smoothly. Election Judge Laurie Schiller noted that voters appreciate the judges too: “With the heightened threat environment, I have found that voters are really grateful for those of us willing to be an Election Judge and a lot of them have thanked us for doing the job. I feel that the job is really important because it is my contribution to making sure that democracy works, and without Election Judges, you can’t have an election.”

We agree, Laurie!

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ICYMI

In Case You Missed It

Gov. J.B. Pritzker: Get rid of the grocery tax. Period. An Op-Ed by JB Pritzker

$1.9 Million Earmarked Towards Lake County Public Works Infrastructure as Part of New Legislation

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Upcoming Events

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 20
Wauconda Township Democrats March Meeting. 7:00pm, online via Zoom. More.

Indivisible Western Lake County (IWLC) March Meeting. 7:00pm, Lindenhurst. More.

FRIDAY, MAR. 22
Senator Tammy Duckworth’s 56th Birthday Celebration. 5:00pm, Chicago. More.

Waukegan Township Democrats Bowling Night Fundraiser. 5:30pm, Waukegan. More.

SATURDAY, MAR. 23
Women Composers: Girl Power with Natalia Kazayan. 4:00pm, Riverwoods. More.

MONDAY, MAR. 25
Protest/Informational Picket with Letter Carriers Union. 2:00pm, Downers Grove. More.

TUESDAY, MAR. 26
Reception in Support of Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. 6:00pm, Chicago. More.

A Night Out at Carnivale Chicago Supporting State Rep. Joyce Mason. 6:00pm, Chicago. More.

Reception Supporting Nabeela Syed, Mark Walker, and Maria Peterson. 6:30pm, Palatine. More.

For the complete list of Upcoming Events, go to lakedems.org/events. 

Click here to submit your event for consideration.

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More Photos!

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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..

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