As the deadline for petition challenges arrives, the Libertarian Party of Cook County is celebrating a significant victory: eight of its nine candidates will advance to the 2026 ballot without challenge, marking one of the party’s strongest showings in recent county history.
The confirmed candidates are:
Michael Murphy — Cook County Board President
James Humay — Cook County Treasurer
Nico Tsatsoulis — Cook County Assessor
Brad Sandefur — Cook County Sheriff
Christopher M. Laurent — Cook County Board, 8th District
Paul DiMasi — Wheeling Township Committeeperson
Glenn Olofson — Niles Township Committeeperson
Hontas Farmer — Proviso Township Committeeperson
Only Geraldine “Queen Geri” Mulso, the Libertarian candidate for Cook County Clerk, faces a petition challenge, a common tactic used by establishment parties to limit ballot competition. Her case is currently under review by election authorities.
The Libertarian team collected 2,219 valid signatures, nearly three times the required minimum to qualify for the ballot. This overwhelming response reflects a growing appetite among Cook County voters for new leadership focused on transparency, accountability, and real change.
“Getting on the ballot in Illinois is no small task, and the fact that eight of our nine candidates made it through unchallenged shows the strength and integrity of this movement,” said Michael Murphy, Libertarian candidate for Cook County Board President. “Our volunteers gathered more than twice the signatures we needed because people are ready for an alternative to politics as usual.”
Illinois has some of the most restrictive ballot-access laws in the nation. Independent and third-party candidates are often required to collect thousands more signatures than major-party candidates just to appear before voters. For the Libertarian Party, this success represents months of community organizing and a commitment to give Cook County voters a genuine choice in 2026.
“Every time voters have more options, democracy wins,” Murphy added. “This isn’t just about a ballot line, it’s about making sure Cook County residents finally have a real choice.”
