Interim Cook County Clerk, Democratic candidate selected following death of Karen Yarbrough

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Cook County Democratic Party has named an interim Cook County Clerk and a candidate for the November election Friday following the death of Karen Yarbrough.

Cook County Deputy Clerk Cedric Giles has been selected as the interim clerk until someone is elected

The Cook County Democratic Party has chosen Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon from south suburban Markham to be their candidate on the November ballot. The election will decide who will serve the final two years of Yarbrough's unexpired term.

The party made the decisions by holding two votes during a meeting on Friday.

Gordon got a congratulatory hug from State Senate President Don Harmon.

"I will continue on her legacy by increasing records access, also enhancing election integrity, voter access increase voter participation in civic engagement," Gordon said.

Gordon called Yarbrough her mentor, yet Gordon had no intention of running for clerk until early this week when Water Reclamation District Commissioner Kari Steele dropped out of the race. Gordon quickly garnered support from Black and suburban caucuses and big labor.

"I'm a big friend and advocate of labor because I'm an advocate of working rights," Gordon said. "I was born on Labor Day and my mother is still a UAW worker."

RELATED | Memorial service held for late Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough

The Cook County Democratic Party chose Gordon over several candidates, including State Senator Napoleon Harris, who spent his pitch defending present and and absent votes on marriage equality and abortion.

"Let me be clear, I believe in a women's autonomy of body and right to choose," Harris said.

Giles will be the interim clerk until the next clerk is elected

"We're headed to a national election, and it's really important that the office of the clerk function smoothly, so I think the sense of body was to leave him in place," Cook County Democratic Party Chairman Toni Preckwinkle said.

Giles has worked under Yarbrough for several years. While happy to be the interim, Giles did not choose to throw his hat in the ring for the permanent job.

"I never expected, hoped for or wanted to be clerk," Giles said.

Giles will serve until the winner of the November special election takes office and fills the two years left of Yarbrough's term. A Republican has not filed filed for the race, so Gordon will likely be the next Cook County Clerk.

More information about the meeting can be found on the Cook County Democratic Party's website.