Democrat found to challenge Beaubien for state House seat
A Island Lake village trustee who has been on the board for roughly a year has set his sights on higher office.
Rich Garling, elected to the board in 2007, is poised to be the Democratic Party's candidate for the 52nd House District seat held by veteran state lawmaker Mark H. Beaubien Jr.
No Democrats ran for the seat in last month's primary, so it's up to the party to nominate a candidate for the Nov. 4 general election. Lake County Democratic officials on Tuesday confirmed Garling will be their candidate against Beaubien.
In a news release announcing his campaign, Garling, 52, listed property taxes, efficient roads and environmental protection among his top issues.
Beaubien, a 65-year-old Republican from Barrington Hills, has served in the General Assembly since 1996. When he last won re-election two years ago, he ran unopposed.
Beaubien said he didn't know Garling but said he has the right to run for office. He declined to comment further.
The 52nd District includes parts of more than two dozen Lake, Cook and McHenry county communities.