North Cook News

Michele Hunter has secured the Republican nomination for the 54th District seat following an uncontested race. She is set to challenge incumbent Mary Beth Canty (D-54) in the upcoming general election in November, as reported by Ballotpedia.

"Hunter: 'We did it," said Hunter, Candidate for District 54, according to Facebook.

On March 20, Hunter shared a statement on Facebook: "We did it! I am officially the Republican candidate for the 54th State House District! Thank you to everyone who helped me get to this point: the volunteers who circulated my petitions and the thousands of people who signed them, everyone who attended my fundraisers and has generously donated, and the countless friends and supporters who have offered their prayers and encouragement. I am so grateful for the 3,000+ people who voted for me during yesterday's primary."

Screenshot of Michele HUnter's March 20 Facebook post | Michele Hunter for IL State Representative Facebook page

Hunter is not new to local elections. In 2022, she ran for the same seat and garnered nearly 15,000 votes despite not winning, according to her campaign website. Her professional background includes law, authorship, entrepreneurship, and active community involvement.

In her March 20 Facebook post, Hunter further stated: "While I ran uncontested, I cherish every vote that was cast as a vote of confidence in our grassroots movement to send a common sense conservative to Springfield. We have less than eight months until the November 5th General Election. My opponent campaigned last cycle as a moderate but has since shown that she is just another leftwing Chicago Democrat whose policy positions and views are more in line with Brandon Johnson than those of the 54th district. This is going to be a tough campaign, but if you will join me in this fight, I know that together we can deliver a victory for common sense representation in Springfield."

Raised in a small Iowa town where she worked in her family’s gift shop and coffee café, Hunter graduated near the top of her class at both undergraduate and law school levels at the University of Iowa. She then spent fifteen years as a law clerk with the Second District Appellate Court. As a legislator, she intends to utilize her legal expertise, including reading and analyzing legislation, to advocate for her constituents and address community issues. In addition to her legal career, Hunter is a published author, has worked for a marketing firm in Chicago, holds a license as a Foster Caregiver and Adoptive Parent, and actively supports animal welfare organizations such as Bombshell Bullies, according to her campaign website.