January 29, 2026
Labor Coalition Endorses Paula Deacon Garcia for County Clerk
Labor unions representing thousands of working men and women are endorsing Democrat Paula Deacon Garcia’s campaign for DuPage County Clerk
The DuPage County Building Trades Council, Chicago Laborers’ District Council, Laborers’ Union Local 68, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 701, Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA, and Cement Masons Local 502 have announced their endorsements of Paula Deacon Garcia for DuPage County Clerk. Deacon Garcia is challenging incumbent County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek in the upcoming March 17 Democratic Primary election.
“Paula Deacon Garcia is a friend to organized labor and a fighter for working people,” said Joe Riley, President of the DuPage County Building Trades Council. “We trust Paula to be the leader we need to build trust in our elections, foster positive relationships across the county, and keep DuPage a great place to work and raise a family.”
In November, the DuPage County Board voted 15-1 to censure incumbent Clerk Kaczmarek, citing fiscal mismanagement including failure to adhere to county accounting and procurement principles and making purchases without proper financial documentation. The County and the Clerk’s Office have been engaged in civil litigation over the financial disputes, with a judge ruling in favor of the County’s assertion that the Clerk must comply with the County’s financial policies and procedures. A separate investigation by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office is ongoing.
“It is an honor to have the support and confidence of the men and women who build DuPage,” said Deacon Garcia. “Together, we can build a stronger DuPage grounded in our shared values and a foundation of trust, accountability, and transparency.”
These latest endorsements build upon Deacon Garcia’s momentum going into the Democratic Primary Election. She is also endorsed by Congressman Sean Casten, Congressman Bill Foster, DuPage County Board Chair Deb Conroy, and DuPage County Board Members Lucy Chang Evans, Sadia Covert, Saba Haider, Andrew Honig, Melissa Martinez, Mary Fitzgerald Ozog, and Yeena Yoo.
January 22, 2026
Congressmen Sean Casten, Bill Foster Endorse Paula Deacon Garcia for County Clerk
DuPage Congressmen back Deacon Garcia for Democratic Primary nomination, citing need for strong Clerk’s Office to protect democratic values
Congressman Sean Casten (D-8) and Congressman Bill Foster (D-11) announced their support for Paula Deacon Garcia for the Democratic nomination for DuPage County Clerk. Deacon Garcia is challenging incumbent County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek in the upcoming March 17 Democratic Primary election.
“While extreme Republicans across the country attempt to undermine the elections process and deny citizens the right to vote, it is more important than ever that we elect county clerks in Illinois who will protect the integrity of the office they serve and the elections they administer,” said Congressman Casten. “I have full confidence in Paula Deacon Garcia’s ability to run an efficient, effective, and transparent office and her commitment to protecting voter data, running honest and fair elections, and protecting the right of every single DuPage County voter to cast their vote without needless barriers.”
“With democracy under attack in our country, there may not be a single office more important in DuPage County right now than that of the Clerk,” said Congressman Foster. “With that concern in mind, I’m excited to endorse a forward-thinking leader like Paula Deacon Garcia to keep DuPage moving in the right direction - one that protects the progress we’ve made while recognizing and confronting the challenges ahead.”
In November, the DuPage County Board voted 15-1 to censure incumbent Clerk Kaczmarek, citing fiscal mismanagement including failure to adhere to county accounting and procurement principles and making purchases without proper financial documentation. The County and the Clerk’s Office have been engaged in civil litigation over the financial disputes, with a judge ruling in favor of the County’s assertion that the Clerk must comply with the County’s financial policies and procedures. A separate investigation by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office is ongoing.
“I’m proud to be endorsed by Congressman Sean Casten and Congressman Bill Foster and inspired by their leadership as they fight against MAGA extremism in Washington,” said Deacon Garcia. “Together, we will build upon DuPage County’s legacy of fair, accessible elections that protect the integrity of our democratic process.”
January 12, 2026
Democratic County Board Members Back Paula Deacon Garcia for DuPage County Clerk
County Board Members join County Chair Deb Conroy in endorsing Deacon Garcia over Democratic incumbent Clerk
Seven Democratic members of the DuPage County Board are joining County Chair Deb Conroy to endorse Paula Deacon Garcia’s candidacy for County Clerk:
Lucy Chang Evans, District 3;
Sadia Covert, District 5;
Saba Haider, District 5;
Andrew Honig, District 2;
Melissa Martinez, District 6;
Mary Fitzgerald Ozog, District 4;
Yeena Yoo, District 2
Deacon Garcia, who was elected to the county board in 2020, is challenging incumbent County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek in the upcoming March 17 Democratic Primary election. Deacon Garcia currently serves as the board’s Finance Committee Chair and Human Services Committee Vice Chair and is a Board Member of the DuPage County Board of Health and DuPage Council on Strengthening the System on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
“I have been fortunate to serve with Paula Deacon Garcia on the County Board for the past 5 years,” said Board Member Mary Fitzgerald Ozog. “As a leader on the Board as chair of the Public Works Committee and currently the Finance Committee, as well as an important voice on the Public Health Board, I have witnessed firsthand Paula’s commitment to public service and good government. She will bring the same resolve and calm, clear headed leadership needed in the Clerk’s Office. I trust Paula to work collaboratively to get the Clerk’s Office’s fiscal house in order.”
“Working side-by-side with Paula Deacon Garcia on the county board, I have seen the standards by which she holds herself and those around her, and I know she will apply those same high ethical standards to the County Clerk’s Office,” Board Member Andrew Honig said. “Paula is deeply committed to a county government that is effective, efficient, and puts people first. I’m proud to endorse her for County Clerk.”
In November, the DuPage County Board voted 15-1 to censure incumbent Clerk Kaczmarek, citing fiscal mismanagement including failure to adhere to county accounting and procurement principles and making purchases without proper financial documentation. The County and the Clerk’s Office have been engaged in civil litigation over the financial disputes, with a judge ruling in favor of the County’s assertion that the Clerk must comply with the County’s financial policies and procedures. A separate investigation by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office is ongoing.
January 8, 2026
DuPage County Board Chair Deb Conroy Endorses Paula Deacon Garcia for County Clerk
Conroy backs Deacon Garcia for Democratic Primary nomination, citing commitment to transparency and accountability in the Clerk’s Office
DuPage County Chair Deb Conroy is endorsing Paula Deacon Garcia for County Clerk, citing her record of transparency and accountability as a DuPage County Board Member and the need for new leadership in the County Clerk’s Office. Deacon Garcia is challenging incumbent County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek in the upcoming March 17 Democratic Primary election.
“I have seen Paula Deacon Garcia’s steady leadership firsthand; she is a selfless, thoughtful, collaborative leader who is committed to the county and our residents,” said Conroy. “As our Board Finance Chair, Paula is an expert on our county’s finances and an advocate for the increased transparency that DuPage County deserves. I have full confidence in Paula’s ability to unite our party in November, restore trust and confidence in the Clerk’s Office, and to serve with integrity as our next DuPage County Clerk.”
In November, the DuPage County Board voted 15-1 to censure incumbent Clerk Kaczmarek, citing fiscal mismanagement including failure to adhere to county accounting and procurement principles and making purchases without proper financial documentation. The County and the Clerk’s Office have been engaged in civil litigation over the financial disputes, with a judge ruling in favor of the County’s assertion that the Clerk must comply with the County’s financial policies and procedures. A separate investigation by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office is ongoing.
Deacon Garcia was elected to the county board in 2020. She currently serves as the board’s Finance Committee Chair and Human Services Committee Vice Chair and is a Board Member of the DuPage County Board of Health and DuPage Council on Strengthening the System on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Since taking office, she has supported balanced budgets that make key investments in resident services while holding the line on property taxes. Deacon Garcia was also a champion of the DuPage Crisis Recovery Center, the innovative new center providing comprehensive mental health and substance abuse resources to county residents. Prior to her election to the county board, Deacon Garcia worked for the Village of Lisle and was an active community volunteer.
July 7, 2025
County Board Member Paula Deacon Garcia Launches Campaign for DuPage County Clerk
DuPage County Board Member Paula Deacon Garcia announced her campaign for DuPage County Clerk on Monday. Deacon Garcia will challenge incumbent Jean Kaczmarek for the Democratic nomination for the office in March 2026.
“I have dedicated my entire life to public service and leadership that puts the needs of the community first,” said Deacon Garcia. “The county clerk performs some of the most sacred functions of our county – ensuring fair, safe, and honest elections and safeguarding our residents’ most important records. More than ever before, we need a county clerk who will lead first with integrity. I’m eager to bring my record of collaboration and dedication to transparency to the clerk’s office as we fight to defend our democracy.”
Deacon Garcia was elected to the county board in 2020. She currently serves as the board’s Finance Committee Chair and Human Services Committee Vice Chair and is a Board Member of the DuPage County Board of Health and DuPage Council on Strengthening the System on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Since taking office, she has supported balanced budgets that make key investments in resident services while holding the line on property taxes. Deacon Garcia was also a champion of the DuPage Crisis Recovery Center, the innovative new center providing comprehensive mental health and substance abuse resources to county residents.
“DuPage County is making progress in improving quality of life and services for our residents while restoring public trust in our government, and it’s important that our clerk’s office is advancing with it,” said Deacon Garcia. “Unfortunately, the lack of leadership by our current clerk undermines the collaborative work of the county. In the coming months, I’m looking forward to meeting residents from across the county and sharing with the voters my vision for a more transparent office that puts voters and taxpayers first.”
Prior to her election to the county board, Deacon Garcia worked for the Village of Lisle and was an active community volunteer. Deacon Garcia and her husband reside in Lisle and have two children and two grandchildren.