01/23/2016
For those interested, here’s an insider update on what’s been going on with the campaign over the last month or so … which is a lot!
1. In November, we filed 2,130 signatures with the Board of Elections to run for Judge, 5th subcircuit Williams vacancy. 1,000 signatures are required.
2. In December, we filed over 2,000 additional signatures for Judge, 5th subcircuit Eadie-Daniels vacancy. Again, 1,000 signatures were required. We subsequently withdrew from the Eadie-Daniels vacancy race and remained in the Williams vacancy race, as we could only be in one race.
3. As of December, we were 1 of 5 candidates in the Williams vacancy race.
4. In December, the opposition filed petition objections against me and every other candidate in the race, except my opponent. The objections alleged everything from fraud, to invalid signatures, to a claim that I did not live at my current address (an allegation totally without merit).
5. Throughout the course of the month-long petition challenge, I was required to:a. hire counsel (Attorney Ed Mullen), b. spend numerous hours at the Board of Elections, c. identify hundreds of signatures and check them, one-by-one, against the voter’s signatures on file, to make sure the signatures were valid,d. and, I had to overcome subpoena requests to turn over personal documents including all of my credit card and bank statements for a period covering the last year.
6. After preparing for what we expected to be the final hearing, late in the afternoon/early evening the night before the hearing, the opposition withdrew their objection.
7. On January 12th, the Board of Elections ruled in my favor, that I would be allowed to stay on the ballot. You can read the decision at:
http://www.cookcountyclerk.com/elections/electoralboard/CaseDocuments//2015COEBJUD25_decision.pdf
8. I am the only challenged candidate that remains in this race. So, it’s now a 2 person race.
9. As you can see, it has not been an easy fight, but I’m in this race for a purpose. I know I am the best match to serve as judge for my community, for the juveniles, and for the interest of justice. I will continue to fight!
10. The election is March 15th and I'm working hard. I need your support and I’m asking for your vote!
Thank you,
Daryl Jones