One Democrat in McLean County has filed for countywide office ahead of the spring primary election, and she's new to politics and government.
Laura McBurney of Normal said she decided to run for county clerk after Run for Something, a political organization that recruits young progressives, asked her to seek the office.
“In a very short period of time, I found that I really care about all of the services provided through the clerk’s office,” McBurney said.
Republican incumbent Kathy Michael is running for a fourth term as county clerk. Both candidates are uncontested in the June 28 primary. The general election will be Nov. 8.
McBurney said her background is in retail and office administration. She is a stay-at-home mother who homeschools her three children. The county clerk handles all election matters in the county outside of Bloomington. McBurney said she plans to advocate for greater ballot access for all, but she doesn't see the county clerk as a partisan office.
“My views tend to lean toward being progressive, but I don’t think that is reflective of serving as the county clerk,” she said.
McBurney added she would support it if the county someday made the county clerk an appointed position. The McLean County Democratic Party has advocated for creating a countywide election commission. Bloomington’s elections are handled by a nonpartisan election commission.
