Michelle Pennington

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Michelle Pennington

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Personal

Birthplace

Dallas, Texas

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Real estate

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal LinkedIn

Michelle Pennington (Republican Party) ran in a special election for Cook County Clerk in Illinois. She lost in the special general election on November 5, 2024.

Pennington completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Michelle Pennington was born in Dallas, Texas. Pennington's career experience includes working in real estate.

Elections

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Cook County, Illinois (2024)

General election

Special general election for Cook County Clerk

Monica Gordon defeated Michelle Pennington and Christopher Laurent in the special general election for Cook County Clerk on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Monica Gordon (D)	68.3	1,320,946
		Michelle Pennington (R)	27.4	530,680
		Christopher Laurent (L)	4.3	82,526

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 1,934,152
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Pennington in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Michelle Pennington completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Pennington's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have been active in civic involvement and grass roots politics.  In 2001, I became Vice President of Operations at Computers for Schools, a public/private partnership that worked to put corporate donations of computers into Chicago Public Schools and City of Chicago Back to Work Programs.  I was also instrumental in launching and running an ex-offender program partnership with the City of Chicago to drive computer literacy and skill development for those re-entering their communities after rehabilitation.

Since 2007, I have run a successful real estate business.  My investment firm has not only provided affordable housing in the Bucktown neighborhood but has been careful to maintain and rehabilitate original housing stock to ensure that the color and character of the Bucktown neighborhood remains. From 2009 to 2012, I was president of the Friends of Holstein Park, a community advisory organization in Bucktown.

I am well positioned to bring the necessary change and investment to the Clerk’s office. I will bring passion, energy and knowledge of technology to recreate the department for the 21st century.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Build Trust Through Transparency: To ensure confidence in our elections, I will prioritize clear, open processes at every stage. By committing to transparency, we can safeguard the integrity of every citizen's vote.
• Smart Spending: For a more efficient Cook County, I will prioritize prudent use of taxpayer dollars and eliminate patronage hires to ensure every penny is spent where it truly benefits the community.
• Modernize and Improve: I will ensure top-notch government services by investing in technology and streamlining operations for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am committed to public policy that truly serves Cook County, not special interests. I’m fed up with leaders who neglect their duty to the people. I am passionate about cleaning up voter rolls, ensuring ballot security, and delivering timely services in Cook County.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I believe my commitment to serving the community, combined with my practical experience and dedication, would make me a successful office holder. My motivation for entering politics is driven by a deep desire to create a Cook County where my children—and all families—can live and grow up safely. I bring a strong work ethic, a focus on effective problem-solving, and a genuine passion for making a positive impact. My goal is to clean up voter rolls, ensure ballot security, and deliver timely services in Cook County.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Growing up, I was immersed in the world of business thanks to my parents, who owned their own small business. Beginning in middle school and throughout high school, I took on responsibilities like running the cash register, helping customers, and cleaning displays. These experiences instilled in me a strong work ethic and a deep understanding of customer service. Handling these tasks taught me the importance of managing operations efficiently and meeting the needs of customers, skills that have shaped my approach to problem-solving and leadership. This hands-on experience in the family business has given me valuable insights into the practical aspects of running an enterprise and the dedication required to ensure success.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

It is highly beneficial for holders to have diverse backgrounds, including business experience. Business leaders bring a practical, results-driven mindset to politics, emphasizing effective solutions and accountability. Unlike career politicians who may be entrenched in traditional ways and party leadership.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Strong communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills are essential for driving positive change and effectively managing challenges. Clear and transparent communication ensures that constituents are informed and engaged. Problem-solving skills enable leaders to address complex issues with practical solutions, while negotiation skills are critical for achieving outcomes that benefit the community. Together, these competencies empower elected officials to navigate obstacles, implement effective policies, and create a positive impact, ultimately leading to a more responsive and successful government.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Proudly endorsed by; Cook County GOP, Chicago Republican Party, South Suburban Republicans and Bob Fioretti Candidate for Cook County State's Attorney

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2024 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Cook County Clerk

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Personal

LinkedIn