Mundelein trustee Abernathy to run for state rep against Sente
House District 59 incumbent Democratic state Rep. Carol Sente will face a challenge in the 2016 election.
Mundelein village Trustee Dawn Abernathy said she plans to run as a Republican candidate in the state legislative race to oppose Sente, who will seek re-election.
In her first run for public office in 2013, Abernathy, 50, was the leading vote-getter for Mundelein village trustee, and she is in the midst of her first term.
She said she was approached to run for the District 59 seat and has the party backing. Abernathy said she decided in August to run but has not made a formal announcement.
"I've been walking and introducing myself to people," she said.
A homemaker with a master's degree in education, Abernathy has been involved in various aspects of the Mundelein community. In August, she was appointed to the Lake County Housing Authority.
Abernathy said mental health and substance abuse issues are a priority. She added that Illinois has suffered under Democrat control.
"I firmly believe we need someone who will be an independent voice in Springfield, who isn't beholden to anybody," she said.
Sente was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Kathy Ryg in September 2009 and was elected to 2-year terms in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Republicans targeted the 59th District in 2014. In that race, Sente, a Vernon Hills resident, narrowly defeated Republican Leslie Munger of Lincolnshire, who subsequently was appointed state comptroller.
The 59th District takes in portions of Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Mundelein, Vernon Hills and Wheeling.