Democratic Lake County officials, delegates support Biden decision, Harris candidacy

Supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for president of the United States is nothing new for two of the Lake County delegates to next month’s Democratic National Convention.

State Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, and Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, backed Harris’ 2020 presidential bid and are glad to have the opportunity again after she was endorsed Sunday by President Joe Biden shortly after he stepped aside.

“She’s a tremendous leader and, most importantly, a former prosecutor who will remind the American people why a convicted felon would only serve his own interests, rather than fighting for what truly matters to our community,” Morgan said in an email.

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives representing parts of Lake County, and local delegates to the convention who will nominate their party’s candidates for president and vice president, are nearly unanimous in their support of Harris and respect for Biden.

U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, said in an interview Monday Harris is in a position to quickly unify the party putting it on a path to defeat former President and the Republican nominee “Donald Trump and Project 2025,” and help other candidates win.

“She was able to raise more than $50 million yesterday and most of it was from really small-dollar donors,” Schneider said. “I talked to several of my colleagues yesterday and they felt a sense of relief (the president) passed the torch. It will only help them win.”

Schneider, U.S. Reps. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, Mike Quigley, D-Chicago and Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston — who all represent parts of Lake County — expressed respect gratitude and praise for Biden’s decision and his accomplishments.

“History will remember Joe Biden as one of our nation’s most consequential presidents and accomplished leaders,” Foster said in an email. “His lifetime of public service has made the country safer and better. His decision to step down as the nominee will be counted among the most selfless acts of patriotism as any leader in American history.”

“It is vital that we continue the progress that President Biden began and Vice President Harris is the woman to get the job done,” Schakowsky added in an email. “In the wake of today’s announcement, Democrats must come together and stand absolutely united.

State Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, is also a delegate to the convention. She said in an interview Monday she is “100%” behind Harris, and believes the vice president has the tools to unify the party after Biden’s decision.

“She is ready and the kind of leader who can unify,” Johnson said. “She held the banks accountable during the housing crisis,” Johnson added, referring to Harris’ time as California attorney general. “She was helping the Americans who were losing their homes.”

Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega is also a convention delegate. He said Harris will continue Biden’s legacy with a focus on the American people. Unity is important after people were torn over whether Biden should leave the race.

“It is a serious responsibility to make sure we remain united as a party and ensure a smooth transition between nominees,” Vega said in an email.

Rotering praised Biden’s support of issues like reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, support for Israel and strengthening the economy. Rotering was a member of Harris’ Illinois Leadership in 2020.

Expressing a sense of loss after Biden’s departure from the campaign because of the stability he brought after the four years of the Trump administration, state Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, was silent on who she may support at the convention.

“As a delegate now, I believe it’s my responsibility to do what is best for the Democratic Party to elect a Democratic president and vice president,” Morrison said in an email.