Linda Finn, Democratic candidate for DeKalb County Circuit Clerk, began her campaign for November’s election at a press conference Tuesday.

Finn will run against incumbent Maureen Josh.

“I envision my role as your candidate as being the candidate that will bring the citizens of DeKalb County an understanding of the office of circuit clerk because this office is the essential link between representation and justice,” Finn said.

“The public awareness of this race will increase once they realize the importance of this office. I see both myself and Maureen Josh as candidates that will be able to stick to the issues and run positive campaigns,” she said.

“I have alraedy spoken to Maureen Josh and we both want to run successful campaigns, and I am going to be stressing a very professional level in the new office.

“I propose that the citizens of this county make the right choice based upon a knowledge of the office and a thorough understanding of Linda Finn’s goals in comparison to her opponent’s. It is essential that this comparison be made in a positive and professional way,” she said.

“My goals include a complete analysis of budget efficiency, personnel development, leadership capabilities and political neutrality,” Finn said.

Finn said she believes budget efficiency will be a major issue of the circuit clerk race because a candidate should be someone who will be able to manage the budget not only in the election year but also in the following three years.

Finn also said another important issue in the election will be the candidates’ ability to adapt to technological changes and to develop and update training programs for county employees.

“I feel challenged by this election and I’m looking forward to it, but I don’t feel like an underdog to my opponent. I feel that I have made a long-time commitment to this community through county administration, educational administration and by being chairperson of DeKalb County’s American Cancer Society and two-year chairperson for the DeKalb Corn Fest,” Finn said.

Finn’s campaign manager John Morreale said, “I thought that there was an extraordinary turnout and I am very excited to get the campaign underway.

“We are planning a fundraiser banquet buffet at Matthew Boone’s on April 16th. Also, halfway through April we will start to advertise more on campus,” said Morreale, who also is chairman of the NIU Young Democrats.

“We are planning on getting more name recognition on campus in the fall, but since about only 1,200 NIU students are registered voters in DeKalb, the campus vote doesn’t have that much impact,” Morreale said.

Others working on Finn’s campaign are Scott Erwin, as treasurer, and Richard Finn, Patrick Conboy and Maggie Houser as co-chairpersons.