The 12th District state representative race took on a higher profile once Gov. J.B. Pritzker threw his political muscle behind one of his allies.
Pritzker endorsed Margaret Croke, who is deputy chief of staff for the Pritzker administration’s Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. She was aiming to unseat incumbent Jonathan A. “Yoni” Pizer, who was appointed to the 12th District seat earlier last month to replace Sara Feigenholtz, who moved up to the state Senate in January.
With 43% of precincts reporting, Croke led Pizer 48% to 40%. Lawyer James “Jimmy” Greenfield had 5%, and Marty Malone, a former aide to Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, and lawyer Ryan Podges rounded out the field, each with about 3%.
Pizer had served as a liaison between U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley and LGBTQ, Jewish and environmental groups in the 5th Congressional District. Feigenholtz endorsed him, as did Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
