Candidates for a number of offices introduced themselves Saturday to the grassroots organizers they will need when they begin circulating nominating petitions next month.

Candidates for other offices like Lake County State’s Attorney, the State Senate and other positions spoke at the Moraine Township Democratic Organization barbecue in Highland Park.

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Lake Forest attorney and Libertyville resident Chris Kennedy is running for the Democratic nomination for Lake County State’s Attorney against Chicago lawyer and Highwood citizen Scott Drury. 

“When I went to law school I wanted to be a prosecutor,” Kennedy said. “You do justice as your sole job requirement.” 

Former Lake County Board member Carol Spielman of Highland Park has known Kennedy since his initial involvement in Lake County politics. She is excited about his passion and the kind of state’s attorney he will make. 

“He has been an advocate for people with special needs,” Spielman said. “I’ve known him personally. He can do the job in a very fair, open way.” 

Kennedy and Drury both have prosecutorial experience. Kennedy began his career as an assistant state’s attorney in Lake County. Drury spent seven years as an assistant United States Attorney in Chicago. Lake County was part of his jurisdiction. They are both critical of the record of outgoing Lake State’s Attorney Michael Waller, a Republican. 

“We’ve read in the papers about way too many wrongful convictions,” Drury said of Waller’s office. “The U.S. Attorney’s office wouldn’t put up with those kinds of shenanigans.” Both Kennedy and Drury want to put an end to 38 years of what they consider poor administration of justice. 

Mike Weinberg of Highland Park likes Drury’s zeal for the pursuit of justice. He has watched the career of the Highland Park native develop and likes what he has seen. 

“I’ve followed his career at the U.S. Attorney’s office and I know how hard he works,” Weinberg said. “He is a person who has a passion for justice. He brings energy to everything he does.” 

With state Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) retiring at the end of her current term in January, 2013, West Deerfield Township Supervisor Julie Morrison of Deerfield is the only announced candidate for the post. She thanked the people there for their support. 

Morrison has lined up a number of endorsements including North Shore Sanitary District President and former Highland Park mayor Dan Pierce. “She knows our issues, has a good record and is very electable,” Pierce said. 

Morrison may be getting company in the race soon. Township High School District 113 Board Member Annette Lidawer of Highland Park spoke to the crowd as well to let them know she was thinking about announcing her candidacy.

Though not a candidate in Moraine Township or Lake County, Abbey Fishman Romanek spoke to the gathering about her effort to become a judge in Cook County’s Ninth Judicial Sub Circuit. “Talk to your friends who live there (Wilmette, Winnetka and Northfield) about me,” she said.