North Cook News

Michele Hunter, the 54th State Representative candidate, has officially secured her place on the ballot. In her campaign announcement, she criticized her opponent from the 2022 election, incumbent State Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights), accusing Canty of transitioning from a moderate stance to align more closely with left-wing Chicago Democrats.

“It is an honor to run again for this seat and to champion the common-sense conservative principles and results-driven leadership needed to move Illinois forward,” Hunter said on Facebook.

“In 2022, my opponent ran 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. She is more interested in mandates from Springfield like full-time kindergarten that is forcing a tax hike on people in Prospect Heights and “food deserts” in Chicago.”

During her campaign announcement, Hunter outlined key areas of focus including common-sense conservative principles, tax reduction, cutting red tape for businesses, promoting public safety, defending parental rights in education and upbringing, and addressing concerns of retirees, small business owners and veterans. Reflecting on these challenges faced by various constituents, she pledged to be their voice in Springfield.

She elaborated on these issues during her speech: "Every time I go door-to-door I hear concerns from people who are hurting and demanding change," she said. "The retirees who are thinking of moving out of state due to high taxes; the small business owner worried about burdensome regulations; the moms concerned about school curricula; the veteran frustrated by lack of basic services while our state gives hundreds of millions of our tax dollars to illegal migrants including 'free' healthcare."

Hunter expressed gratitude towards over 2,000 individuals who supported her by signing her petitions. She views this support as a privilege to seek reelection and advocate for practical conservative values and effective leadership that she believes are essential to propel Illinois toward progress.

Hunter lost to Canty in the 2022 election, during which she campaigned on repealing the SAFE-T Act and implementing a zero-based budgeting system for the state, according to North Cook News.

Raised in a small Iowa town, Hunter worked in her family’s gift shop and coffee café before graduating near the top of her class at the University of Iowa. She spent fifteen years as a law clerk with the Second District Appellate Court. As a legislator, she plans to leverage her legal expertise 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 website.

Canty is seeking re-election and has filed her candidacy for the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 54. The 54th District includes Arlington Heights, Prospect Heights and parts of Palatine. Canty resides in Arlington Heights, according to Ballotpedia.