Senator Mark Kirk before casting his vote on November 8 in Highwood. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) kept his promise to write in his choice for president when he voted November 8 at the Highwood Recreation Center, saying neither Democratic nominee Hilary Clinton nor Republican candidate Donald J. Trump were acceptable to him.
“I voted today for David Patraeus for president,” said Kirk. “I decided to do it because someone with his military leadership background is the best thing for our country today. He can provide leadership that neither Clinton nor Trump can.”
Kirk is running against Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Hoffman Estates) to keep the seat he won six years ago when he defeated then Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. He expressed the hope when the election is over he can have a beer with Duckworth like he did with Giannoulias six years ago.
“I hope we can bury the hatchet with longneck beers at the Billy Goat Tavern,” said Kirk.
One person who voted for the first time today was Cindy Handwerker of Highland Park. She came to the United States in 2011 as a permanent resident, became a citizen in 2015 and made her choice for president and other offices today.
“It was like a little bittersweet,” said Handwerker. “I’m very happy to be able to vote but didn’t like my choices for president. They say you have to choose between the lesser of two evils but why do they both have to be evil.”
Handwerker declined to name her choice for president, taking advantage of her new country’s secret ballot.
The election for president and one of Illinois’ two senate seats are among many on the ballot. DailyNorthShore.com will be following six closely with updates after the polls close at 7 p.m. because of their connection to the North Shore.
Illinois State Senate District 29 Illinois House District 58
Julie Morrison (D) Marty Blumenthal (R)
Ben Salzberg (R) Scott Drury (D)
Illinois House District 18 Lake County Coroner
Robyn Gabel (D) Howard Cooper (R)
Jessica Tucker (R) Michael Donnenwirth (D)
Thomas Rudd
Lake County Court Clerk Lake County Board District 13
Keith Brin (R) Ann Brennan (R)
Erin Cartwright-Weinstein (D) Sandy Hart (D)
A veteran poll at the poll …