The Cook County Democratic Party unanimously endorsed Alderman Michelle Harris (8th) for Clerk of the Circuit Court in the March Primary after pulling its support from the incumbent Dorothy Brown. Following the approval of a motion to reconsider its previous endorsement of Brown, the Democratic committeemen heard from four candidates seeking to serve as clerk. They included Harris, Brown, attorney Jacob Meister and community activist Tito Hardiman.

“I am honored that the Democratic Party had enough faith to believe in me,” said Harris, who is also the 8th Ward Committeeman. “I will campaign to strengthen the people’s trust in government and run as a team with those on the Democratic slate.” The executive committee of the county Democratic Party met on Wednesday to discuss the reconsideration issue and called for a full meeting of the Central Committee to make the determination since it had made the initial endorsement. “Our goal is to present the best and strongest slate of candidates to the voters of Cook County and that’s what we’ve done today,” said Joseph Berrios, chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party. The Cook County Democratic Party is made up of 50 Chicago Ward and 30 Suburban Township Committeemen. The Democratic Primary will be held March 15, 2016.