Duckworth, Durbin endorse Bertino-Tarrant for Will County executive

Both U.S. senators from Illinois endorsed state Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant in her race for Will County executive.

Bertino-Tarrant’s campaign announced the endorsements of Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin via a news release. She’s running against Nick Palmer, the chief of staff to Will County Executive Larry Walsh, for the Democratic nomination.

The senators cited Bertino-Tarrant’s work as a state legislator.

“Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant has a proven record of fighting for vital funding to improve the region’s roads, bridges and highways,” Durbin said in the release. “I know with Jennifer in the driver’s seat, she will be a strong advocate that will fight to ensure the region has the infrastructure to promote economic development opportunities for large and small businesses owners across Will County.”

The senators also argued Bertino-Tarrant’s “vision to foster economic development and uphold democratic values” makes her the best choice to be the next Will County executive.

“Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant has worked to protect our seniors, provide our children with opportunities to be successful at all levels of education and ensure women have the health coverage they need,” Duckworth said in the release. “Jennifer knows that health care is a fundamental right and she has done everything she can to allow Illinoisans with pre-existing conditions to keep their health coverage despite Donald Trump’s attacks on the Affordable Care Act.”

Bertino-Tarrant has also touted the support of over 20 local labor unions, as well as state legislators and Will County officials.

Both she and her opponent filed to run for the county executive’s office after Walsh, who’s held the seat since 2004, announced he wouldn’t run for reelection in 2020.

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson, Walsh and several Democratic Will County Board members have backed Palmer.

Former Braidwood Police Chief Nick Ficarello is the sole candidate running for the Republican nomination.

The Illinois primary election is March 17.