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ELECTIONS 2014 Guide to the gays
2014-10-22


The next primary elections, to be held Nov. 4, 2014, feature a number of openly gay and lesbian candidates. The following individuals have publically stated that they were a member of the LGBT community and were on the ballot as of Oct. 20.

—Kelly Cassidy

Race: Illinois state Representative ( 14th District )

Website: CitizensForKellyCassidy.com

The skinny: Cassidy, who defeated another lesbian candidate, Paula Basta, in March 2014, is this time running unopposed in the Democratic primary. Republican candidate Denis Detzel, a consultant, is her district. Before taking office, Cassidy was an activist and a staffer for state Sen. John Cullerton.

—Sam Yingling

Race: Illinois state Representative ( 62nd District )

Website: SamYingling.com

The skinny: Yingling, running unopposed in the primary for his second term, is a native of central Lake County and lives in Round Lake Beach. He is the first openly gay House member from outside metropolitan Chicago. The night after SB10 passed, Yingling proposed to his longtime partner, Lowell Jaffe, at a party in the executive mansion. Republican Rod Drobinski of Wauconda is Yingling's opponent.

—Greg Harris

Race: Illinois state Representative ( 13th District )

Website: GregHarris.org

The skinny: Harris, who was chief co-sponsor of SB10, the legislation that will bring about marriage equality in Illinois beginning in June, 2014, has a district that includes Uptown, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, North Center and Bowmanville. He was first elected in 2006 and is currently running unopposed, ensuring his re-election.

—Judy Rice

Race: Cook County Circuit Court Judge ( 7th Subcircuit, W. Taylor vacancy )

Website: Article Link Here

The skinny: Rice is senior vice president and head of community affairs & economic development for Harris Bank. After receiving her law degree in 1988, Rice began her legal career as an assistant Cook County state's attorney. She then began her 17-year-long career with the City of Chicago, initially as assistant corporation counsel.

—Bill Downs Jr.

Race: Illinois state Representative ( 52nd District )

Website: BillDownsJr.com

The skinny: Downs, 46, has resided in Cary, Illinois, for more than two decades. He works in the IT ( information technology ) division for a manufacturing company and is running against Republican incumbent David McSweeney.


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