Laura ventured out during the flooding and downpour to meet with Wheeling Township supporters.  She spoke to over 50  hardy attendees who braved the rain to meet the 8 new precinct captains and hear the speakers.  In addition to Laura Morask, candidate for the 12th Judicial sub-circuit of Cook County, other speakers were Tony Peraica, Matt Murphy, and Andy McKenna.

The biggest obstacle to attending the meeting were all the flooded intersections.  Immediately following the meeting Laura left to monitor Maine Township’s emergency situation due to flooding.  She worked with the township to declare a state of emergency to get county and state aid as quickly as possible.

Image courtesy of David Gonzalez

A recent article in The Journal-Topics Newspaper and The Journal-Topics Online covered a fundraiser by 12th Subcircuit Judicial candidate Laura Morask (Punch #72!). The article compliments Laura’s diplomacy in bringing together various local Republicans who don’t always see eye to eye. Laura’s quote:

“I think it shows that I bring a unity to the Republican Party,” said Morask. “We need to focus on the bigger picture of unity. I’m the only candidate who’s ever brought this level of groups together. “

Laura’s been focused on being Republican Strong with numerous events this winter both for her and for other Republican candidate’s. It’s nice to see the press take notice of her accomplishments as a Judicial candidate.

A full reprint of the article after the break.

Township Republicans Unite To Support Morask Campaign

By TODD WESSELL

Journal & Topics Editor

It took a Cook County Circuit Court judge candidate to bring together long-time Maine Township Republican warring factions last week.

More than 100 state and local Republicans from Maine, Elk Grove, Wheeling, New Trier and Northfield townships attended a fundraising party for 12th subcircuit judicial candidate Laura Morask on Tuesday, Jan. 14 in Des Plaines.

Among those attending were area GOP leaders Mark Thompson, Maine Republican committeeman, Bob Dudycz, former Maine Township supervisor, Maine Township Highway Commissioner Bob Provenzano, and a representative from State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan’s (R-65th) office.

For the last eight years, these individuals have participated in frequent political bickering over control of the township and local Republican party.

However, at last Tuesday’s event, differences were put aside, at least for the moment.

Morask, a resident of Park Ridge, and current Maine Township trustee, is running in the Feb. 5 primary against Michaela Nolan Ryan.

Whoever wins, will take on the top Democratic vote-getter in the November general election. The 12th subcircuit is an area that includes much of the five townships of Maine, Elk Grove, Wheeling, Northfield and New Trier. Democratic candidates on the Feb. 5 ballot include, Thomas R. Mulroy, Michael John Halloran, Pamela Elizabeth Loza and Thomas Flannigan.

Numerous other primary battles will be waged on Feb. 5 as well including selection of delegates for Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. In all that day, 22 states will vote for president contenders.

Main speakers at the Morask $50 per plate fundraiser were Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman and Dudycz. Morask was presented a book about former President Ronald Reagan from Dudycz.

Also speaking was current Maine Township Supervisor Carol Teschky who said Morask will be missed as a member of the township board should she become judge.

Other attendees included many area GOP precinct captains, Wheeling Township Republican Committeewoman Ruth O’Connell, and Maine Township Assessor Tom Rueckert, Clerk Gary Warner, and trustees Susan Moylan-Krey and Peter Gialmos, and Elk Grove Township Republican Committeeman Cheryl Axley.

“I think it shows that I bring a unity to the Republican Party,” said Morask. “We need to focus on the bigger picture of unity. I’m the only candidate who’s ever brought this level of groups together.

Morask has been a Cook County state’s attorney for the last 22 years and a Maine Township trustee for the last six years.

The Honorable Elizabeth Doody Gorman; Chairman; Cook County Republican Party

The Honorable Bob Dudycz; Former Supervisor; Maine Township Board

The Honorable Carol Teschky; Supervisor, Maine Township Board

The Committee to Elect Laura Morask
Recognizes and Thanks The Reception Host Committee and Sponsors

Hon. Carol Teschky, Maine Township – BRONZE Sponsor
Hon. Gary K. Warner, Maine Township
Hon. Tom Rueckert, Maine Township
Hon. Robert Provenzano, Maine Township – GOLD Sponsor
Hon. Peter Gialamas, Maine Township
Hon. Walter Kazmierczak, Maine Township
Hon. Susan Moylan Krey, Maine Township
Hon. Bob Dudycz, Maine Township – GOLD Sponsor
Hon. Rosemary Mulligan, Maine Township
Hon. Howard Frimark, Maine Township
Hon. Mark Thompson, Maine Township
Hon. Ruth O’Connell, Wheeling Township
Hon. Penny Pullen, Wheeling Township
Hon. Cheryl Axley, Elk Grove Township
Hon. Dick Sayad, Elk Grove Township – BRONZE Sponsor
Hon. Peter Amarantos, Northfield Township
Hon. Elizabeth Coy, Northfield Township
Mr. Neil Cohn, Esq. – SILVER Sponsor
Mr. Darren Collier, Esq. – BRONZE Sponsor
Mr. Brian Burkross – SILVER Sponsor
Hon. Elizabeth Doody Gorman – Featured Guest Speaker

I am truly thankful and overwhelmed for everyone’s support and help. I am also strongly encouraged as a Republican to see the party base energized and leaders leading the charge to seat local, statewide and nationally qualified candidates, especially those who braved this record setting Chicago weather to do so.

In keeping with this year’s grand tradition, the Elk Grove Township’s Christmas Party will be met with WGN-TV’s meteorologist Tom Skilling’s Weather forecast, promising to bring record setting cold temperatures atop one of the earliest December accumulated snowfall totals.  I know all these events are packed because we are Republican Strong!

I have been warmly greeted at each reception and received wholehearted support in my endeavor to become the Circuit Court Judge of the 12th Judicial Subcircuit. This has included hundreds of local precinct workers, business people, citizens, and volunteers to local, state and national officeholders; Republican Committeemen, Mayors, Township officials and Trustees, and other candidates. Believing in my qualifications and experience, and enthusiasm and energy as a candidate they pledged their personal support.

Each party I have attended features good food, drink, and lively festivities…and an ice storm. Twenty-fours hours of relentless rain followed by another ice storm, snow, sleet, and wind. The Maine Township Republican Women joined forces with the Republican Women of Park Ridge to put on a lovely affair at the Park Ridge Country Club featuring retired Maine East High School Teacher Dr. Paul Carlson and numerous dignitaries and candidates. We had a lovely view onto the country club grounds as the snow fell fast and furiously. Three hours later, at the conclusion of the memorable event, people were digging their cars out from under five inches of snow.