The Nov. 2 general elections feature several openly gay and lesbian candiates for office. ( All of the candidates are in the Democratic party, with the exception of Wes Fowler, who is a Republican. )
—Wes Fowler
Race: Cook County Commissioner ( 10th District )
Web site: "Wes Fowler for County Commissioner" on Facebook
The skinny: Wes Fowler is an anomaly in the world of Chicago politics: As a gay Republican operating on a very small budget, he faces an uphill battle against incumbent Bridget Gainer, who was appointed last year to fill the vacancy left by Mike Quigley, who's now a U.S. Rep. Fowler—a clerk at a large law firm in the Loop as well as a member of the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus—believes in same-sex marriage, but fancies himself socially conservative in the sense that he wants a family structure for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.
—Greg Harris
Race: Illinois State Representative ( 13th District )
Web site: GregHarris.org
The skinny: Harris, who is openly HIV-positive as well as being openly gay, has represented his district ( which includes Uptown, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, North Center and Bowmanville ) since being elected in 2006. Although his name has appeared most prominently in LGBT publications in connection with the issue of marriage equality ( introducing a civil-marriage bill ) , he is intimately involved with a host of other issues, such as the state budget, foreclosure mediation, children of incarcerated parents and insurance reform. He is currently running unopposed.
—Sheryl Pethers
Race: Seeking retention as Cook County Circuit Court judge, First Municipal District
Web site: None
The skinny: Pethers was admitted to practice in 1991. Since 1992, she has been in private practice as a personal injury litigator. For one year before that she was law clerk to Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court Benjamin K. Miller. She was elected to the Circuit Court in 2004.
—Deb Mell
Race: Illinois State Representative ( 40th District )
Web site: DebMell.org
The skinny: Deb Mell started her first term making history as the first open lesbian in the Illinois General Assembly—and then did something historic in being the only representative to vote against impeachment of then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, her brother-in-law. ( She told Windy City Times, "The day I made that vote, the Rod I knew and the Rod they were talking about didn't match up," adding that people told her afterwards that they were happy she voted that way. ) A staunch advocate for marriage equality, Mell is running unopposed after defeating Joe Laiacona in a contentious primary earlier this year.
—Kent DeLay
Race: Illinois State Representative ( 99th District )
Web site: KentDeLay.com
The skinny: This son of a retired state engineer is a survivor of two car accidents that have left him partially disabled. In addition, the candidate—who is running to represent Springfield—is a father of two children.
—Bob Mueller
Race: Illinois State Representative ( 47th District )
Web site: VoteMueller.org
The skinny: Green Party candidate Mueller, 63, resides in Westmont and is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Back in 1997, Mueller and his lawyer, Fred Wellisch ( now a DePaul University professor ) , argued that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, leading to the filing of three U.S. Supreme Court petitions regarding LGBT families in 1999, 2001 and 2002; Ted Olson ( now representing plaintiffs in the current Prop 8 case in California ) was on the other side as solicitor general when the 2001 and 2002 petitions were signed.
—John Dalton
Race: 16th Circuit Court, Kane, "A" vacancy
Web site: JohnDaltonForJudge.com
The skinny: Dalton—who would be the first openly gay judge elected outside of Cook County if he prevails—has been an arbitration chairman for more than a decade and an attorney for more than 22 years. Dalton plans to fund his campaign without accepting donations from attorneys—a rare position among Illinois judicial candidates. Also, Dalton is an active member of Elgin's First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ.
—Christopher Boyster
Race: Sangamon County Board
Web site: ChrisBoyster.com
The skinny: Boyster, 36, is running for the board of a county that was established in 1821 and that encompasses townships such as Springfield, Clear Lake, Talkington and Lanesville. If he wins, he will be the first-ever openly gay member on the board.
