North Cook News

Marilyn Smolenski is focused on meeting constituents and hearing their concerns.

A Republican from Park Ridge, Smolenski is vying to unseat Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) in District 55.

Smolenski is a business owner and entrepreneur who has never run for office before, so the first goal in her campaign is to meet as many voters as possible.

Marilyn Smolenski | Marilyn Smolenski

“I’m just starting to get my nose wet,” Smolenski told North Cook News.

Smolenski recently attended a GOP picnic, where she talked to many local Republicans.

“It was really great; I got a lot of signatures,” Smolenski said. “I was just meeting people who are really involved in local politics.”

Smolenski has enjoyed hearing from the voters and getting a sense of what direction her campaign should take.

“It was really nice to sit and speak with them and really get a feel for exactly everything they’re looking for in a representative and what they’re happy about, what they’re not happy about,” Smolenski said.

The biggest concern she’s heard is the onslaught of tax increases. Smolenski has taken to Facebook to fight a gas tax that has been discussed by state lawmakers.

“I’m running for office to oppose this tax hike and the seemingly endless list of taxes being forced upon us,” Smolenski posted.

Smolenski argues that families are being priced out of their homes. If elected, she wants to find better ways to spend tax money on infrastructure improvement and avoid future tax hikes.

The Republican Women of Park Ridge and Republicans of Maine Township have supported Smolenski in her campaign so far, but she's still working on meeting politicians and getting their endorsements. She attended a fundraiser for House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Westchester) on Wednesday and plans to have a fundraiser of her own in November.