Cook County Dems back Cabonargi for circuit court clerk

The Cook County Democratic Party announced its slate of endorsements for the March 2020 primary on Friday, including Mike Cabonargi for Circuit Court Clerk—one of the most heated races expected this term.

Democrats gathered at IBEW Local 134 in Bronzeville Friday, and also announced endorsements for State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, Illinois Supreme Court Justice P. Scott Neville, and one of the party’s “most diverse” Circuit Court judge slates in the party’s history.

Cook County Circuit Court Clerk candidates came with a mixed bag of expectations – some wanted an open primary, some came armed to decry a backroom deal, but all carried some hope the party would give them the nod.

Asked why the party did not heed calls to stay neutral in the race, Party Chair Toni Preckwinkle said, “The party endorses candidates for election. That’s what we did today.”

“It’s been a very open, transparent process,” she said.

“We don’t have a back room,” State Sen. Don Harmon added, gesturing to the large union hall.

Despite expectations Cabonargi would win, four other candidates showed up to introduce themselves and take questions from party insiders—former County Commissioner Richard Boykin, Water Reclamation District Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos, state Sen. Iris Martinez, and attorney Jacob Meister.