Leslie Munger

Leslie Geissler Munger[1] (born September 5, 1956) is an American politician and business executive who served as the Illinois Comptroller in 2015 and 2016. She was appointed by incoming Governor Bruce Rauner to fill the vacancy caused by the death of re-elected Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.[1][2]

Leslie Munger
9th Comptroller of Illinois
In office
January 12, 2015 – December 5, 2016
GovernorBruce Rauner
Preceded byJerry Stermer
Succeeded bySusana Mendoza
Personal details
Born (1956-09-05) September 5, 1956
Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-
Champaign (BS)
Northwestern University (MBA)

Career

Munger is a former corporate executive for Helene Curtis/Unilever.[3] She oversaw the United States hair care business for Helene Curtis from 1984 to 2001 under former CEO Ron Gidwitz.[3]

Political career

In 2014, Munger ran for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 59th District against incumbent Democrat Carol Sente but narrowly lost.[1][4]

After the sudden death of Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, then-Governor-elect Bruce Rauner appointed Munger as Comptroller.[3] She was sworn in on January 12, 2015, the same date as Rauner and the other elected officials.[5]

On November 8, 2016, Democrat Susana Mendoza defeated Munger in a special election for Illinois Comptroller. The normally low-key comptroller's race became a high-profile, big-budget campaign seen as a proxy battle between Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.[6]

On February 3, 2017, Munger was hired as a staffer in the office of Governor Rauner with the title of deputy governor.[7][8]

Electoral history
Illinois House of Representatives 59th District Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carol Sente (inc.) 14,528 52.4
Republican Leslie Munger 13,179 47.6
Illinois Comptroller Election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Susana Mendoza 2,583,436 49.0
Republican Leslie Munger (inc.) 2,366,194 44.9

References
  1. (January 5, 2015) - "Rauner to Appoint Leslie Munger as Next Illinois Comptroller". WGNtv.com. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  2. "Newcomers, veterans sworn in as statewide officers". The State Journal-Register. Springfield, Illinois. Associated Press. January 12, 2015. Retrieved 2015-02-01.
  3. Garcia, Monique; Pearson, Rick (January 5, 2015). "Former executive to serve as state comptroller, vows to be 'guardian'". Chicago Tribune (online ed.). Retrieved 2015-01-05.
  4. Finke, Doug (January 5, 2015) - "Bruce Rauner Selects Leslie Munger as Next Illinois Comptroller". Rockford Register-Star. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  5. (January 12, 2015) - "Bruce Rauner Sworn in As Governor: "I Am Ready to Go to Work For You"". NBC Chicago. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  6. Sotonoff, Jamie (2016-11-08). "Mendoza beats Munger in Illinois comptroller race". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  7. Schoenburg, Bernard (February 23, 2017). "Gov. Rauner Hires Former Comptroller Munger as Deputy Governor". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  8. Geiger, Kim (February 3, 2017). "Rauner Names Former Comptroller Munger to Deputy Governor Post". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 4, 2017.


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