Jim Harrison
A press release from candidate for McHenry County Sheriff Jim Harrison.
Assuming he gets enough signatures to get on the ballot, he will face off against either Andy Zinke or Bill Prim.
Harrison Announces Independent Candidacy for McHenry County Sheriff
More than 150 people filled the Edgetown Bowl in Woodstock Friday night, to support McHenry County Sheriff’s candidate Jim Harrison and to participate in his “Bowling Fun-Raiser.”
During the event, Harrison announced that he has decided to run as an Independent candidate for McHenry County Sheriff in November of 2014.
“When I launched my campaign in the fall of 2012, given the number of Republican voters in McHenry County, my thought was to seek the Republican nomination in the March 2014 primary.
“However, since that time, I’ve come to realize that McHenry County desperately needs a candidate for Sheriff who is independent of the political influences that permeate the Sheriff’s Office.
Jim Harrison announced his Independent candidacy at a Woodstock bowling fund raiser.
“Legitimate government envisions ethical public officials making choices with the best interest of the people in mind; but far too often, what’s in the best interest of the people is traded for what’s in the best interest of a political party, (or for what’s in the self-interest of a party politician).
“Party affiliation acts to divide, separate, and exclude one group of people from the others.
Part of the crowd at Jim Harrison’s fund raiser.
“When a candidate for office affiliates with one party, he excludes everyone else. Exclusion is inconsistent with the philosophy of my campaign.
“My campaign seeks to include and unite all of the citizens of McHenry County ~ regardless of their political affiliation, to wrest control of their Sheriff’s Office from the clutches of countless political stakeholders, and to entrust administration of the Sheriff’s Office to an Independent Sheriff who will give first priority to the interests of the people and no priority to special interests and party politics.
“In the end there is only one Sheriff and he must serve and protect all of the citizens of McHenry County.
Another view of the crowd.
“Sometimes the path we choose in life that is most beneficial is the less-traveled path.
“I believe that my choice to be an “independent” candidate for Sheriff, albeit the less-traveled path, is the most beneficial choice that I can make for myself, for the employees of the Sheriff’s Office and for McHenry County as a community.”
Jim Harrison was a McHenry County Deputy Sheriff from 1981-1989, a Special Assistant State’s Attorney in McHenry County from 1992-2004, and from 1991 to the present, he has been the principal attorney at Harrison Law Offices in Woodstock, concentrating in employment law, labor union law, and constitutional civil rights cases. Harrison is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. Visit Jim’s website at www.JimHarrisonForSheriff.com.
The real reason Harrison switched parties is this: He voted for Obama, twice, and so did his “campaign manager” Cundiff.
Harrison has also told people that he isn’t running as a democrat is because he knows he can’t win on that ticket.
All of his babbling about parties divide people etc is a ruse.
He knows people know he is a dem who voted for O and he is trying to get ahead of it before it went public.
If McHenry county wants an Obama supporting attorney for Sheriff they will get what they deserve!!
Does this mean Harrison would avoid an expensive primary against multiple contenders and, instead, run against one candidate, hoping to pick up the supporters of the primary loser?
there’s only so much money, and so much support to go around.
This election is a bellweather of McHenry County politics and voters are looking for something better in their candidates.
True.
He is doing this so that he can have a better chance.
In my research, he would not be my choice.
Much better and qualified candidate in Bill Prim.
I’d easily vote for Harrison.
He’s got experience in the law from the perspective of a cop and an attorney well versed in the two areas that the MCSP are likely to get involved in–constitutional civil rights and employment.
It doesn’t get much better than that for qualifications.
Spent 17 years of my life working for lawyers.
YOU DO NOT WANT ONE FOR A SHERIFF!!
I applaud JIM HARRISON for taking a stand and trying to make a difference by not supporting ONE political group.
This shows me he is a man of integrity and more importantly is not able to be bought off in return for political favors.
Positions held by Republicans and Democrats show they are out of touch and do not have the people’s interest at heart.
Politics is the problem, not the solution.
HARRISON has my support.
This is just what McHenry County needs: fewer elected officials bound to the Republican party.
Republicans are more interested in power & control than the well-being of McHenry County residents.
Honestly, Harrison never seemed to be the best Republican candidate, but he’s always been the best person suited for the job of McHenry County Sheriff.
I’m very happy with this decision.
I’m impressed!!!
This shows me he is not your typical politician.
Harrison has my vote.
All this does is make the next McHenry COunty Sheriff either Prim or Zinke-he’s just basically removed himself from contention, much like the ‘Green Party” people.
Will admit, tho, that he was not my choice
Bravo on Jim’s decision to run and do so as an Independent!
This is a good man with solid character!
A man such as this who loves people and operates with integrity, using prudence and fairness in his decision making, that will get the job done right in McHenry County is much needed.
My vote would be his no matter who else runs against him, as we can be more than confident that he is the best man for this position!
Take time to get to know Jim Harrison, like we did, then cast your vote in a manner that will bring a harvest for years to come.
Looking forward to hearing more from others who know Jim even better, as this man never ceases to amaze me.
Keep the comments coming!
Will those that know him best, please give the rest of us more to go on?
Always great to learn something new about this amazing candidate!
Finally a candidate that we can trust!
Glad Jim made the decision to run as an Independent, following his convictions as he always does!
Thanks for being a man that can be counted on in any circumstance, standing up for what is right (supporting those in need) regardless of their party affiliation, differences of opinion, or religious convictions.
We need more men like you, Jim!
Looking forward to your leadership and the positive improvements you will bring to McHenry County!
od bless you and yours!
One wonders if the success of the Grafton Township Restore slate this past week weighed into Mr. Harrison’s decision to seek election as an independent in November of ’14?
With the Restore slate winning a majority of seats on the Grafton Township board, including the supervisor’s position, this must buoy Harrison and his supporters knowing the November election will have to be hard fought.
Insuring the Republican primary field is a one-on-one primary helps voters, too.
Now, declaring to run as an independent and actually getting on the ballot are 2 different things, the latter taking meticulous hard work.
Remember how Scott Lee Cohen’s indpendent run for governor doomed Republican Bill Brady in November of 2010.
You know, those Harrison petitions will be the most scrutinized petitions, given the cross checking for voters who sign them and insuring they did not sign a Republican or Democrat petition, let alone cast a primary ballot in March of ’14.
It’ll be interesting to watch.
Jim has made the right choice.
Independence – the voice of the people, not the puppet of the party.
Integrity, Honesty and Experience, jim brings it all to the table. After much research – you have my vote.
Thank God!!!
Finally, a politician who has the balls to stand up for what is right.
Besides the beautiful weather, this has MADE MY DAY!!!!!
Good for you Jim Harrison, not only as a politician, but as a human being.
Running Independent of party politics will bring you TONS of support.
Hope has found McHenry County at last.
I am sorry now that I did not attend your bowling fundraiser, but from the pictures, it appears it was a huge success.
Congratulations to you and I look forward to your next fundraiser.
HARRISON FOR SHERIFF!!!!!
WOW!!!! Has this ever happened in McHenry County?
This is awesome!
So now Prim and Zinke have to go head to head in the primary.
That should be interesting. I
don’t think I much care for who wins the primary, I’ll be voting for Harrison.
McHenry County is in need of change and so far he seems to be the one willing to do that.
Tired of the same old same old around here.
Good luck Jim Harrison!!!!
Kudos to Jim Harrison for running as an independent candidate!
I find it refreshing to have a well-educated, experienced man who can speak for himself seek election for sheriff.
Free from the constraints of party politics, this candidate’s will bring a commendable work ethic and expertise to the Sheriff’s Office and he will serve in the best interest of all people in McHenry County.
Any voting citizen in this county should take the time to hear what he has to say.
He certainly has my vote!
Deke: can you recall how much $ Harrison was paid from McHenry County during the tenure of his friend, State’s Attorney Gary Pack?
I think it was in the millions.
Guess Harrison lked politicians in those days.
Cohen won the Democratic Party primary election for Lt. Gov.
backatyou.
I am with you on this one.
He is one smoooooth talking lawyer.
That is not what we need.
Got enough of them sniffing around the county.
Policing experience and leadership is what we need.
He was a cop for a nano second.
Prim is the BEST CHOICE.
Yup, anonymous, Harrison had no problem with the good ole boys when it was beneficial.
Seriously, I find it annoying for people who have a problem with any lawyer who is hired as outside counsel for any district attorney’s office. That’s what they do when they need a lawyer who brings a certain expertise that is not available in the D.A.’s office.
People take jobs as consultants and the pay that goes with it all the time, in all fields of employment.
Jim Harrison is well respected in his field of law, a field of law, in fact, which is well suited to benefit the Sheriff’s Office, as is his 8 years of experience as a police officer. His combined skill set is unique and worthy of consideration.
Again, it’s time for the citizens of McHenry County to open their minds and listen to what this candidate has to say.
I think it is a wise move.
A three way would go to Zinke, since he has the regular GOP’s behind him thanks to Nygren’s money.
One-On-One face off between Prim and Zinke probably broke Zinke into cold sweat. Some of the old party GOP backers are now in Prim’s corner.
Gary Rabine just added to the list.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Sheriff that didn’t owe anything to the GOP?