Office Opening Shows Broad Morrison Appeal

West Deerfield Supervisor Julie Morrison is finding help for her campaign to replace retiring state Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) from a variety of places.

Morrison’s support from established Democratic politicians, first time student interns and even an independent Republican activist were all evident at the opening of her campaign office Saturday in Highland Park.

One person who will be volunteering her support to Morrison is Linda Reed of Northbrook. The two first met when Reed was on the local staff of then Rep. John Porter (R-Wilmette) and Morrison was the former Congressman’s field director.

“I’ve returned because of Julie (Morrison),” Reed said at the office opening. “I’m an independent and Julie (Morrison) is right on the issues. I wouldn’t be doing this for any other person.”

The last time Reed worked on a campaign was in 2004 when she helped then Rep. Phil Crane (R-Wauconda) when the 15-term Congressman lost to former Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Barrington).

“That’s what being an independent is all about,” Reed said. “The first time I took a Democratic ballot was last time (in 2010) because I didn’t like (former Cook County Board President John) Stroger.” She supported current Board President Toni Preckwinkle in that election.

Another Morrison supporter there was North Shore Sanitary Board President Dan Pierce. Pierce is a former Highland Park mayor who served 10 terms in the Illinois General Assembly as a Democrat and is the currently sits on the Democratic State Central Committee.

“She will be a great successor to Susan Garrett,” Pierce said. “Susan (Garrett) has endorsed her, (state Rep.) Karen May has endorsed her and I’m happy she has opened her office in Highland Park.”

Morrison, who has been the West Deerfield Township Supervisor for 14 years, believed it was important to locate her office in Highland Park. The township includes all of Deerfield as well as parts of Highland Park and Lake Forest.

“I want the people in Highland Park to be accessible to me,” Morrison said. “We’re very happy to be here.”

A person making her first effort working for a campaign is intern Ally Dunne of Lake Forest. The Lake Forest Academy junior learned about campaign opportunities from a teacher and chose the Morrison effort.

“She believes in the same things I do,” Dunne said. “She is pro choice and I like what she has done with the (West Deerfield Township) Food Pantry.”

Morrison will face Lake Bluff business consultant Milton Sumption in the March 20 Democratic primary with the winner to run against the Republican candidate, Highland Park pediatrician Arie Friedman. Friedman has no Republican primary opponent.

Sumption announced Sunday at the Patch sponsored Lake Forest-Lake Bluff League of Women’s Voters debate he just received the endorsement of former Sen. Majority leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) to go with the nod from the Independent Voters of Illinois.

In addition to Garrett, May and Pierce, Morrison has the backing of Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston), state Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), state Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan) and state Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) as well as a number of organizations.