Daily Herald endorsement: Chan Ding for House District 52 State Rep in Democratic primary

Voters have two strong Democratic candidates to choose from in the race for state representative in Illinois House District 52.

Erin Chan Ding stands out for the experience and readiness she brings to public service. Maria Peterson deserves credit for her commitment to ethics, workers’ rights and years of grassroots advocacy, and she would be a thoughtful and values-driven legislator.

But at a moment when Illinois faces complex fiscal, educational and governance challenges, Chan Ding brings an important qualification to the table: proven experience in elected office.

As a twice-elected member of the Barrington 220 School Board, Chan Ding has already done the job voters are asking a state representative to do by listening to constituents, managing a large public budget, making difficult tradeoffs and governing transparently. She has overseen hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds, negotiated contracts and made decisions that directly affect families, educators and taxpayers.

Chan Ding has demonstrated a deep commitment to fully funding public education, fixing Tier 2 pensions to keep promises to workers, protecting immigrant communities and advancing fair and effective revenue solutions. She understands how state decisions ripple down to school districts, other government entities and property taxpayers, and she has shown she can balance values with fiscal responsibility.

It is important to note that Chan Ding acknowledged lapses in ethics involving campaign activities connected to her school board position that drew criticism from the board. She apologized for those mistakes, explaining that they stemmed from her early unfamiliarity with the standards, and she said she has learned from the experience and grown as a public official. This is where that experience we previously mentioned is so valuable. Chan Ding dealt with adversity, apologized and has promised to improve moving forward.

While Peterson offers passion, legal expertise and a strong ethical compass, Chan Ding offers those qualities plus a track record of governing. She has already been tested in public office, and she has earned the trust of voters by doing the work. Chan Ding is endorsed.