Lake County Gazette

Mary Cole, a candidate for Lake County State's Attorney, conceded the race in a Facebook post on November 6. She expressed that elections are about more than winning or losing, highlighting the importance of sparking conversations and inspiring hope within the community.

"My love for Lake County has only grown throughout this journey," said Cole, according to Facebook. "Justice, at its core, isn't just about outcomes—it's about the process. It's about ensuring that every voice is heard, that fairness prevails, and that we uplift the values we share as a community. Elections, too, are about more than just winning or losing; they're about the conversations we spark, the people we inspire, and the hope we bring to our community."

"Our campaign has been a testament to that belief," Cole said. "Together, we’ve inspired so many across Lake County, giving voice to those who needed hope for a better future here at home. I am deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished and of each person who stood with us."

Screenshot of Mary Cole for Lake County State's Attorney Nov. 6 Facebook post | Mary Cole for Lake County State's Attorney Facebook page

Cole challenged incumbent Eric Rinehart in the general election held on November 5. According to Lake County’s unofficial vote tally as of November 6 at 4:26 p.m., Cole received 131,601 votes compared to Rinehart’s 155,800. The breakdown showed she garnered 60,344 votes during early voting and 15,476 through mail-in ballots. On election day itself, there were a total of 10,6470 votes cast; early voting accounted for 128,064 individuals, while mail-in ballots totaled 52,867. Overall, Cole secured 45.79% of the county’s votes out of the total 297,447 cast by Lake County's registered voters.

In her statement, Cole also congratulated her opponent. "This process has pushed us both to grow," she said. "While we may not have won, we have succeeded in building a movement grounded in the principles of justice and unity."

Cole is a former assistant state’s attorney in Lake County and is currently a partner at Brady Cole Trial Lawyers. During her campaign for the November 2024 election, she emphasized addressing issues such as low morale and inadequate attorney training.