WILMETTE – New Trier Republican Organization membership, incumbent U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's home township, endorsed their favorite son Saturady with 91 percent of the vote at its endorsement session Saturday morning in Wilmette.
Kirk, whose roots in New Trier run deep, was joined by a whole slate of candidates NTRO endorsed, including U.S. Congressman Robert Dold (R-10th) for re-election. The other endorsed candidates included State Comptroller Leslie Munger, Wilmette’s Joan McCarthy Lasonde for U.S. Congress in the Ninth District, former Winnetka Village President Jessica Tucker for State Representative in the 18th District, Commissioner Dan Patlak for Cook County Board of Review (1st District), Christopher E.K. Pfannkuche for State’s Attorney, Diane Shapiro for Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Herb Schumann for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, as well as David Studenroth and James Allegretti for judge in the 12th Subcircuit. In another vacancy in the 12th subcircuit, NTRO was unable to make an endorsement with two candidates on the ballot: Steven Kozicki and Alex Kaplan.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) was the preference of NTRO with 45 percent of the vote.
Saturday’s endorsement session was hosted by NTRO, but the Evanston, Maine Niles, and Northfield township organizations also participated. Evanston, Maine and Northfield townships also endorsed Senator Kirk.
The New Trier Republican Organization is the regular township GOP organization serving Republicans in Glencoe, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Wilmette and parts of Northfield and Glenview. Besides Senator Kirk, It is the home organization of Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter, U.S. Rep. Robert Dold, and Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The Illinois GOP primary is March 15th. Early voting starts next Thursday, February 4th.