Prairie State Wire

Attorney General candidate Erika Harold has earned a host of endorsements from Republican lawmakers who have praised her courage, tenacity, leadership and legal skills, according to a press release.

“Erika Harold had the courage to enter the race before Lisa Madigan withdrew and that is the type of courage needed to challenge the status quo,” House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said, according to the release. “I am going to do everything I can to make sure she becomes our next Attorney General.”

As of Sunday, Harold has the backing of 12 senators and 32 representatives. In return, she praised the performance of Republican lawmakers in the General Assembly and their push for reforms, dedicating herself to continuing that fight.

Erika Harold

“I am so humbled by the outpouring of support from legislators across the state,” Harold said in a statement. “Republican legislators hear from constituents every day about the problems Illinois families face.  They have led the fight in Springfield for reforms to put our state back on the right path.  It is an honor to have their support and join with them in the fight for reforms that will put the people ahead of the powerful political class.”

Harold, a Harvard law graduate and former Miss America, joins a competitive race for attorney general after incumbent Madigan, the daughter of House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), announced that she will not run for re-election. Campaigning is nothing new for Harold, who sought a House seat in 2014 against Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville).

Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) believes Harold’s experience will serve her well.

“She is a sharp lawyer and a great a person,” Barickman said in a statement. “She has dedicated her career to advocating for those who oftentimes could not advocate for themselves. Whether it has been in the courtroom, in the prisons through her work in prison fellowship or in the classrooms with her anti-bullying campaigns, Erika has always been a voice for the voiceless.  Illinois will be lucky to have her voice fighting for all Illinoisans in the Attorney General’s office.”

Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) shared similar sentiments, praising Harold for her focus on strengthening Illinois families and fighting corruption in the state.

“Illinois' political corruption is legendary, and for as long as I've been alive, too many of our elected officials have lacked the courage and values to hold themselves accountable,” Batinick said in a statement. “As a result, Illinois has become steadily more frustrating to live in, harder to do business in, and more expensive to raise a family in. I can't think of a better choice to break from this past and help usher in a new generation of leadership than this accomplished attorney and political outsider. If you want to change the state's trajectory, if you want to see Illinois become a beacon of hope and opportunity in the Midwest, if you want elected leaders we can trust to do what is just, what is fair, and what is right; then join me in supporting Erica Harold.”

Rep. Scott Drury (D-Homewood) and Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) are also running for attorney general. Harold is the sole Republican candidate as of Sunday.