Cook County State's Attorney candidate Clayton Harris, III (L) wants to build on the tenure of his backer, Kim Foxx (R). | Clayton Harris for State's Attorney/Wikipedia
Cook County State's Attorney candidate Clayton Harris, III (L) wants to build on the tenure of his backer, Kim Foxx (R). | Clayton Harris for State's Attorney/Wikipedia
Cook County State's Attorney candidate Clayton Harris, III said Kim Foxx deserves the highest grade possible for her tenure in the office, and that he hopes she "gets her flowers" for "how's she's done it."
Harris made the comments an interview published Feb. 16 by the Windy City Times.
" I would give Kim Foxx an "A" with what she's done," Harris said. "The "why" is probably the best question. Let's look at what she's done, and why and how she's done it."
Harris acknowledged that crime has spiked in Cook County and Chicago under Foxx. But he said Foxx's main failure has been poorly telling the "stories" of accused criminals who stood to benefit from her policies.
"Where I might knock her down is (the crime increase). My issue is that they were doing it in the office but it wasn't talked about as much in the office," Harris said. "I want to make sure she gets her flowers—but one of the things she could've done better was really tell the stories of both sides."
Harris is running against retired Cook County Judge Eileen O'Neill Burke in the March 19 Democrat primary.
In the 2024 race for Cook County State's Attorney, Harris is backed by outgoing state's attorney Kim Foxx and her mentor, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
Harris worked four years in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office (1999-2003) before leaving to work as political aide and consultant, first to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (2003-2006), then to Illinois Governors Rod Blagojevich (2003-2009) and Pat Quinn (2010).
He also served as executive director for the Illinois International Port District (2016-2020) and as a lobbyist for Lyft (2020-2022).
Cook County early voting in the March 19 primary started Feb. 21.
Between Feb. 21 and March 1, Cook County voters can cast ballots from 9 a.m. to 5 pm. at six Cook County locations, including Downtown Chicago (69 W. Washington) and courthouses in Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Markham and Bridgeview.
Expanded early voting begins March 4, at 50 locations county-wide.
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