Incumbent Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart Denounces Republican Opponent For Relying Upon Retired Local Judge Who Has History of Sexist And Racist Remarks
(Waukegan, IL) – Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart issued the following statement denouncing Republican Mary Cole for using retired Judge Ted Potkonjak as her spokesperson after Potkonjak had demeaned and belittled victims of domestic violence in court:
“Republican Mary Cole has shown her complete lack of judgment by elevating as her spokesperson an out-of-touch, Republican judge who frequently demeaned victims from the bench. Handling domestic violence cases requires empathy, wisdom, and an intellectual understanding of the cycle of violence. Through his words and rulings, Potkonjak has repeatedly shown that he does not understand the cycle of violence, and he often blames victims. Like many in the legal community, Cole knew this, and still deployed him in her campaign. I call on Mary Cole to separate from Potkonjak.”
Rinehart’s condemnation of Potkonjak comes after Cole posted a video of Potkonjak on her campaign website and campaign Facebook.
In criticizing Potkojnak’s handling of domestic violence, Rinehart pointed to two recent statements Potkonjak made from the bench. While releasing a domestic abuser, Potkonjak explained his ruling in open court by stating, “Next time he hits her, it’s on her” and “[t]he Court can’t protect a victim if she wants to be a victim or punching bag.”(People v. CC, 24CF1749, 9/12/24)
Rinehart stated, “These public comments, in the presence of a victim, are appalling and show a complete lack of empathy. Instead of recognizing that the woman needed a fair hearing from an understanding judge, Potkonjak blamed her for her abusers’ actions. The only person to blame for domestic violence, of course, is the abuser. Potkonjak’s out-of-date and dangerous mentality is particularly alarming when you consider his role as a judge.”
Research on Potkonjak’s social media accounts demonstrated a history of making sexist and racist remarks (e.g., https://www.facebook.com/ted.potkonjak May 24, 2016). Some of Potkonjak’s views can be found on whoismarycole.com. Citing his work to reduce domestic violence, the Daily Herald recently endorsed Rinehart for re-election.
Rinehart concluded, “Mary lacks the judgment to be State’s Attorney because she keeps associating herself with people, like Ted Potkonjak, who do not share Lake County’s values.”