Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski.
Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski had announced that he would run for Maine Township Democratic committeeman, until learning Monday current Maine Township Democratic Committee Person Laura Murphy would be running to retain her seat as head of the local Democratic Party. Goczkowski then withdrew his plans.
Murphy, who was in Boston on Monday, told the Journal & Topics that when she returned, she would start the process of circulating petitions to run for reelection for Maine Township Democratic committee person, a role she has held for 23 years. Murphy said she also intends to run for reelection to the Illinois State Senate, where she serves the 28th District and is assistant senate majority leader.
Goczkowski, who initially said he believed Murphy would not run for reelection as committee person, said when contacted by the Journal, “If Laura is in, then I’ll be her first, most enthusiastic endorsement.” He also said that he would not run against her.
State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-28th) who is also Maine Township Democratic committeeperson (left), chats with campaign staff and volunteers looking over petitions signed earlier that morning in 2023 at a Maine Township petition and campaign kickoff event at Kappy’s American Grill. (Tom Robb/Journal photo)
Goczkowski had organized a Sunday, Aug. 17, campaign kickoff event at the Beacon Tap in Des Plaines with guests U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th) and Niles Mayor George Alpogianis, posting the event on Facebook and forwarding information about it to Journal reporters and editors.
Upon learning of Murphy’s intention to stay in the race, Goczkowski quickly took down the Facebook event, saying he would notify Alpogianis (who was out of the country at the time) and schedulers for Schakowsky.
In the event announcement, Goczkowski had high praise for Murphy.
“I’m so proud to step up and build on the incredible foundation laid by Committeewoman Laura Murphy. Laura is the reason we are all here today — she’s the reason Democrats have been winning in Maine Township. Her leadership, mentorship, and relentless drive to organize have shaped a generation of Democrats, including me,” Goczkowski said.
“Laura has taught us everything we know about how to do this work with integrity, heart, and purpose. I’m running to carry that torch forward — to grow our local party, elect more Democrats up and down the ballot, and continue the work she began,” his message concluded.
Besides serving as Des Plaines mayor, Goczkowski works as a senior legislative aide for Schakowsky, who recently announced she would not seek reelection to Congress.
Niles Mayor George Alpogianis speaks at the 2024 Niles Memorial Day observance at the waterfall at Milwaukee and Touhy Avenues. (Tom Robb/Journal photo)
Alpogianis also said he was under the incorrect impression Murphy was not running for reelection as committee person.
The post Thinking Murphy Was Out, Goczkowski Announces For Committeeman — Then Quickly Withdraws first appeared on Journal & Topics Media Group.
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August 4, 2025 at 04:41PM
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