Republican primary rivals debate qualifications for Cook County Board District 15 seat

The Republican candidates squaring off in the Cook County Board District 15 primary debated which of their personal and professional backgrounds better prepared them for office.

Government communications professional Gabriella Hoxie and business owner Daniel Lee are both seeking the nomination of their party’s voters in the March 17 contest.

The winner will face uncontested Democrat Ted Mason in November for the seat itself. Mason is both Elk Grove Township Democratic committeeman and chief of staff for current District 15 Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, who’s running in the 8th Congressional District primary.

Both Hoxie and Lee recognize a value in getting even one more Republican voice on the 16-1 Democrat-dominated county board. But they each see themselves as better suited.

Hoxie is a communications staffer with the Illinois House Republican Caucus as well as vice chair for the North Cook Young Republicans, Cook County region chair for the Federation of Illinois Young Republicans and a precinct captain with the Hanover Township Republican Organization.

She pointed out that the district was held by Republicans until Morrison won it eight years ago when he too was in his 20s. She believes it can be reclaimed by the GOP if the right candidate is elected to face the better funded Mason.

“We need to send someone who can make every dollar count,” Hoxie said. “I believe that’s through social media, through digital media. That’s what I do. That’s kind of my expertise.”

She also believes she’s better able than Lee to win necessary votes from independents and less entrenched Democrats in the general election.

Lee argued his longer life experience and background in business rather than politics would make for a more profound change on the county board.

“It’s time to put more people from the real world with real experience that have raised a family, that have ran businesses, that have signed paychecks — not just the back of a paycheck for myself but in front of the paycheck to meet payroll, to make sure we balance the budget,” he said.

Hoxie argued it was somewhat offensive to suggest only business experience was relevant to the post. She said the board is in need of a greater diversity of backgrounds and ages.

Lee also advocates for greater diversity on the board, but contends a background like his would be a rarer commodity there than Hoxie’s.

District 15 covers all or parts of communities like Barrington, Barrington Hills, Bartlett, Elk Grove Village, Elgin, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Streamwood.