Thanks for help in winning primary

I would like to express just a small portion of the overwhelming gratitude I am feeling today following my election as the Democratic nominee for circuit court judge in Kane County.

First, I'd like to thank the thousands of primary voters that have put their faith in me to represent them in the general election in November. I will not let you down.

I am not a professional politician with a half dozen campaigns under my belt, like my worthy opponent, so many aspects of the recent judicial primary came as a surprise to me. When I agreed to run for judge, I had no idea how difficult running for office could be.

I had no idea how many people would become involved - about 50 committee members, even more endorsers and volunteers, given my pledge to refuse all campaign donations from lawyers.

I did not know how humbling it would be to see so many people working so hard on my behalf, working countless hours, often in the cold, to do all the many things a successful campaign requires. It was an embarrassment of riches. My cup runneth over. I can never thank you enough.

For the next nine months I will work hard to communicate to the voters about my qualifications and my vision of the role of a judge.

I believe the role of a judge is to be nonpartisan, to follow the law, to listen to both sides, keep an open mind until all the evidence is in, and to treat every person that comes before you fairly, with dignity and respect.

I believe in diversity, transparency, precedent, tradition, and the possibility of grace and redemption. And if I am fortunate enough to win the support of the majority of Kane County voters this fall, that's the kind of Judge I will be.

John G. Dalton

Elgin