Appellate Judge, Former Rep. Mary K. O'Brien Moves Toward Supreme Court Run
Democrat 3rd District Appellate Judge Mary K. O’Brien, a former State Representative, has created a fundraising committee for a run for Supreme Court in 2022.
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Former Democratic State Representative and current Illinois Appellate Judge Mary K. O'Brien has filed a new political committee indicating her plans to run for Supreme Court in 2022.
O’Brien lives in Essex in far western Kankakee County and would seek the new 3rd District seat, likely against incumbent Republican Justice Michael Burke.
The redrawn 3rd District on the Supreme Court includes DuPage, Will, Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle, and Bureau Counties. Many political observers believe the district leans Republican, especially in a non-presidential year.
O'Brien defeated Republican Steve Spangler in 1996, winning a district many didn't think a Democrat could. She served as State Representative from 1997-2003, when she resigned to take a seat on the 3rd District Appellate Court. She was elected to a full term in 2004.
O'Brien is considered a dream candidate for Democrats in that district, though she will have to beat Burke in his home of DuPage County, where she has never run before.
Justice Robert Carter, who was appointed to replace Justice Tom Kilbride after he lost a retention race last year, lives in the current and new 3rd district. But most observers we spoke to believe he won't run for a full term.
O'Brien has not returned a message from The Illinoize seeking comment.