Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison (D-15th) is running as a delegate in the Tuesday, March 17 Presidential Primary for former Mayor Pete Buttigieg. (Journal file photo)
Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison (D-15th) announced his run for Congress in the 8th Congressional District on Monday.
Morrison, who in 2018 was the youngest and the first openly gay commissioner to win a seat on the county board, is among the first to announce his run for 8th Congressional District after U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-8th) announced his run to replace the retiring Dick Durbin, who will not be running for reelection to the U.S. Senate next year.
Morrison’s term as a county commissioner ends in December 2026. A primary election for Congress is scheduled in March 2026. Morrison told the Journal & Topics he will continue to serve as a county commissioner through his term.
“As the grandson of immigrants and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I never saw people like me in leadership growing up. That is why it means so much to me to announce I am running for Congress,” Morrison said.
Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison (D-15th) at the Kenneth Young Center, Elk Grove Village Cares Remember Recover Discover event Saturday. (Tom Robb/Journal photo)
“I’m running for Congress because I believe that if you work hard, you should be able to earn a living wage,” he continued. “I believe in advancing policies that support families, and that everybody deserves a fair shot to get ahead. These are the principles that have guided my work in public service, and the principles that will drive my campaign.”
Morrison said he will hit the ground running with his congressional campaign, announcing numerous endorsements Monday including: Cook County Commissioner Maggie Trevor (D-9th), State Rep. Nicolle Grasse (D-53rd), Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod, South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie, Daniel Hebreard, president of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District; State Sen. Rob Martwick (D-10th), State Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-30th) and Elk Grove Township Democratic Committeeman Ted Mason.
Morrison grew up in Elk Grove Village, graduated from DePaul University, and recently earned his law degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
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