Being part of an organization devoted to public speaking and leadership, it’s basically a given that there are Toastmaster members who have ambitions of serving in public office and confident that the skills they learned in Toastmasters would guide them through their campaign and through their term if elected. Here in District 30 we have several people who have ran or are currently campaigning for public office. Please note that I don’t necessarily endorse them or agree with their views.

The most notable one currently campaigning this year is Jill Morgenthaler, who was with Argonne Toastmasters and past District 30 International Speech and Humorous Speech contest winner. She’s the Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District currently held by Peter Roskam.

I don’t know of any other current or former District 30 members running for public office this year but there were several in recent years that did take a stab at it and didn’t win, more due to demographics and incumbency working against them than their campaign skills:

Jason Tabour – Former member of The Center Toastmasters Club in Palos Park. Was the Republican candidate for Illinois’ 1st Congressional District in 2006 against incumbent Bobby Rush. Also ran in 2004 for Illinois House in the 36th District against incumbent James Brosnahan.

Roberta Rekus – Former member of Talk of Lincolnshire club. Was the Democratic candidate for the 10th District seat in the Lake County (IL) Board in 2004 against incumbent Diana O’Kelly.

Ashur Odishoo – Former member of Toastmasters of Lincoln Park club and past Area Governor. Was the Republican candidate for Illinois House in the 11th District in 2006 against incumbent John Fritchey.

Don Sampen – Member of Speakers Forum Toastmasters Club in downtown Chicago and past District 30 Humorous Speech Contest winner. Was a Republican candidate for Judge in Cook County 12th Subcircuit against Mary Katherine Rochford to fill a 2006 vacancy.

For more local offices, there are at least two District 30 members currently holding office:

Sam Cunningham – Member of Relatively Speaking club that meets at Allstate in Vernon Hills, currently the 1st Ward Alderman for the City of Waukegan.

Rose Mosely – Member of Batmasters (downtown Chicago) and Maywood Library clubs, currently President of the Maywood Public Library board.

Let me know if there are other Toastmasters running or currently holding office here in the Chicagoland area or elsewhere.