Not a lot of judicial candidates in Cook County -- and several of these drew objections

The Cook County Officers Electoral Board will meet Monday morning. At that time, hearing officers will be assigned to handle objections that have been filed against several Cook County candidates, including many judicial hopefuls.

Readers should not assume that there really are fatal defects in the nominating petitions of any challenged candidates. Presumably, some objections will be sustained; this happens in every election cycle. Some candidates may evaluate the objections filed against them and decide not to fight. But others will oppose the objections and prevail. Some objections are substantive; some may merely be tactical.

Time will tell.

There are only two contests for the four vacancies on the First District of the Appellate Court. Objections have been filed to the petitions filed by both of the challengers, Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher (Cunningham vacancy) and Judge Leonard Murray (Delort vacancy).

Only one challenge has been filed to any of the petitions filed by countywide Circuit Court candidates. Ashonta C. Rice, who has filed for the Sullivan vacancy against Judge James S. Murphy-Aguilú, faces an objection to her nominating petitions.

Michael O'Malley is the only challenger to Loveleen Ahuja for the Collins-Dole vacancy in the 8th Subcircuit. An objection has been filed to his nominating papers.

Michael B. Kilgallon, who has filed for the Wojkowski vacancy in the 10th Subcircuit, has drawn a challenge, as has Steve Demitro, who has filed for the O'Hara vacancy in the 14th Subcircuit.

Hector J. Rodriguez filed for the converted Flood vacancy in the new 16th Subcircuit. He faces a challenge.

There are three candidates for the converted Senechalle, Jr. vacancy in the new 19th Subcircuit. Two, Risa Renee Lanier and Dave Heilmann, face challenges to their nominating petitions.