Run, Mama, Run -- Cook County, Illinois Judicial Candidate Abbey Romanek

It might not seem like election season -- maybe some of you are just now recovering from 2008 election fatigue! -- but races for local offices are in full swing and worthy of our attention as much as the big races!

One Democratic mother who's decided to run for Cook County Judge in Illinois is the latest woman we'd like to feature in the MOMocrats' "Run, Mama, Run" segment -- Abbey Fishman Romanek! I met someone involved in Abbey's campaign at a conference earlier this year, and thought it would interesting to profile someone running for an office that we don't often think is an elective one (depending on where you live!)  Abbey took some time out from her campaign to talk a little bit about her decision to jump into the world of elective politics:

Q: How many children do you have and what are their ages? 

A: I have three very active and busy boys. Josh is 15, Mikey is 14 and Ricky is 12.  

Q: What prompted you to decide to run for office?  Why did you decide to run for a judgeship as opposed to another office?

A: I'm a trial lawyer.  I have been trying cases to judges and juries for 22 years.  The cases I have tried range from criminal (drugs to capital murder) and civil (traffic accidents to medical malpractice).  As a result, I have practiced in a wide variety of courtrooms within Cook County, Illinois [the second most populous county in the U.S.]  Based on what I have seen in those courtrooms, the depth and breadth of my experience, coupled with my interest in public service, I think that I can make the biggest difference and be the most effective as a Circuit Court Judge.

Q: .  While I know that judicial candidates can't advocate for issues, was there some particular issue that made you decide you wanted to be a judge? 

A: It comes down to my passion for community and public service.  I’ve been serving on my local village’s zoning board for the past few years because I care deeply about my community and the people who live in the area.  I’ve always had the desire to work for fairness and respect for all people.   

Q: Why run for office now?  Was there something about the 2008 election that inspired her to make the leap? 

A: I have been involved in local politics for a number of years. Throughout those years, I have considered and even started campaigns to run for Judge. Cook County, Illinois is an extremely large area in terms of both area and voters. As a result, I determined that I wanted to run in a subcircuit rather than county wide. In order to run in a subcircuit, you must live in the subcircuit and there must be an opening in that subcircuit.  

This year, there is an opening in the subcircuit in which I reside. The last time there was an opening was in 2004.  I felt that with my children in or approaching high school, now is the right time to run for judge.   

Q: What advice would you give other moms who toy with the idea of running for office, but worry they won't have time to meet all their other obligations? 

A: My advice is: RUN!!!  You will never be sorry that you tried, you will only be sorry that you never tried. While moms do have so many obligations to their families and other activities, I think women also need to make a difference in the areas outside of family that matter to them and impact their own families.  

There is no question however, that you need a strong support system in place. I am fortunate to have a very supportive husband who is able to pick up the slack in the house.  

In addition, my run for office has and will continue to be a family project.  They know I am running because of my commitment to service and my community and that makes it easier for my kids to tell their friends and their friend's families that I am running.  They are very proud when someone asks them about their mom who is running for Judge! 

6. You website talks about your past community involvement.  Was there one experience in particular that helped move you in the direction of running for office? 

There has not been one particular experience that motivated me to run. It has been a combination of my legal career, seeing the judicial process up close, and my interests and community involvement that led me to run for Judge.  

I think that my community service experience and my legal experience are important qualities for a judge.  Whether improving interfaith relations, feeding the hungry or teaching the lessons of the Holocaust, I have been working with and alongside a diverse number of people for many years. Through my ongoing commitment to those organizations and causes, and the values they teach, I have earned the friendship, trust and respect of the people I work with and the people in the community. The support I have fostered throughout my community service was vital to my decision to run and remains vital to my ability to win.   
 
Q: Have you been involved in politics in the past? 

A: Yes. I have been involved in local politics, working with candidates running for local elections, candidates running for statewide office and for congress. I have been very lucky to work with many exceptional leaders who are great examples to me.  Plus, I have met and made a growing number of lifetime friends.

Thanks so much to Abbey for letting us feature her and her campaign for Run, Mama, Run!

When Joanne isn't looking for other political moms to interview who are running for office, you can find her at her political blog, PunditMom.