Lake County Gazette

Dawn Abernathy has joined a cadre of 25 others endorsed by former Rep. Joe Walsh for election within their respective districts as she vies to retain her position as trustee in the village of Mundelein.

Walsh -- a Republican who represented Illinois’ 8th District in Washington, D.C., as a U.S. representative from 2011 to 2013 -- included Abernathy on his select list of endorsements that was recently published online.

Abernathy’s name also made Walsh’s list in 2016 when she ran for the post of Illinois state representative for the 59th District. Although she lost that bid to Carol Sente, she remains “undeterred,” according to North Cook News, which reported in November 2016 that the candidate “did not regret one moment of the campaign.”

“Abernathy said she would do it again without hesitation and is considering another bid in two years,” the publication stated, noting that the candidate expressed satisfaction at having run a positive campaign.

Abernathy grew up in Libertyville. She and her husband have two daughters and have served as foster parents for five youngsters. The candidate credited her parents with instilling in her the right values, according to North Cook News.

As well as advocating for underserved constituents in need of housing, she has invested time in charitable work and numerous civic activities. She has also lobbied for redevelopment in downtown Mundelein and supported independent living reforms.

A fiscal conservative, Abernathy has consistently opposed property tax increases and supported term limits in Illinois. The candidate stated on nationbuilder.com late in 2016 that “we need to have reforms that will allow the middle class to thrive, not tax them out of their homes.”

First elected as Mundelein trustee in 2013, Abernathy now seeks to continue the work she started and serve the local constituency.