Endorsements: Maher, Hart for Dist. 11, GOP, on Will County Board
Two Republican slates - all Naperville residents - are vying for the GOP nomination in this district. The incumbents, Charles "Chuck" Maher and Suzanne Hart, are up against challengers Julie Berkowicz and Kathy Havel.
Maher is the majority leader on the county board and has served since 2002. Hart has been on the board since 2010 and is also the Will County Forest Preserve president. Both are very active in Naperville, with Hart having served on the Naperville Park District board prior to her county election. Having both Naperville board members in leadership positions speaks highly of these candidates and also gives prominence to the concerns of Naperville residents.
Berkowicz last year ran for and lost for a spot on the Naperville City Council. Havel is the chairman of the Will County Republican Party. They declined to be interviewed for an endorsement or to fill out a candidate questionnaire.
Given the lack of transparency from the opposing slate and the strong record Maher and Hart can point to on the county board, they are endorsed in the primary. The winners will go on to face Democrat Michelle "Mimi" Cohen in the fall.