West Deerfield Township Supervisor Julie Morrison was endorsed Wednesday by former Rep. John Porter (R-Wilmette) while Highland Park pediatrician Arie Friedman got the backing of Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) in their race to succeed retiring state Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest).
Porter represented the 10th Congressional District from 1980 until he retired in 2000 when he was succeeded by Kirk, who held the post until he was elected to the United States Senate in 2010. Kirk’s successor, Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth) is behind Friedman.
Earlier: Sparks Fly During 58th District State Rep. Debate
"Julie's approach to public service is the same as mine,” Porter said in a letter backing Morrison. “Her experience in serving the people of West Deerfield Township for the last 15 years as their supervisor, confirms her commitment to bring a moderate, bipartisan approach to service in Springfield."
Morrison, a Republican turned Democrat in 2008 when she felt the party left her, was part of Porter’s staff from 1992 to 2001.
Friedman, who grew up in a partisan Democratic household, developed more conservative beliefs in his adult life. Kirk believes Friedman is the right person to represent the 29th District in the Illinois General Assembly.
“Arie will be a voice of reason and common sense in broken Springfield," Kirk said in a news release from the Friedman campaign. "We need his leadership in the Senate to continue the fight for lower taxes, less borrowing and less spending.”