7th Annual Summer Solstice Soirée for Karen Yarbrough on June 14

The fundraising activities of the Cook County Clerk are ordinarily beyond the purview of this site -- but there is a judicial candidate angle here.

Organizers say they are encouraging judicial candidates to attend; they add that all candidates who attend will be acknowledged.

Now, just two weeks before the primary, at a fundraiser for an elected official, it seems unlikely that there will be a host of undecided judicial voters in attendance. However, in addition to being acknowledged, a candidate might be able to use a rooftop event like this for social media magnification: Pictures of yourself with this judge, or that elected official, might be posted to your IG or Facebook and attract the notice of your followers and their friends.

Pro tip: Don't ambush elected officials for pictures. Ask first. And put down your refreshment before the picture is taken. Your social media post can (must) reference your candidacy but it must never suggest or imply that the poor person dragooned into your photograph has endorsed you.

And for any real newbies out there: That the elected official wishes you 'good luck' is not intended to be, nor should it be construed by you as, any sort of endorsement. It's kind of how politicians talk. Often left unsaid, after the expression of 'good luck,' is the follow-up that more accurately reflects their attitude, if indeed they have bothered to form one about you in your brief acquaintance, namely, 'you'll need it.'

Anyway, here's the link to buy tickets for the event. All the information is contained in the poster above -- and there's another QR code. They really are back.

Remember, for most people, running for judicial office is often a process, not a single campaign. There are few enough events where the unknown, unendorsed candidate can secure an invite. This, apparently, is one of these. It may redound to your benefit down the road....