Hi, I'm Mary Mesa and I'm running for Lake County Board!

Over the past years, I’ve witnessed tremendous growth and positive change in our community. Looking ahead, I’m committed to helping ensure the next generations are even more prosperous, sustainable, and vibrant. My hands-on approach to problem-solving is my promise to you. As a Lake County Board member, I'll roll up my sleeves and get to work to help, protect, and enrich you.

I’ve lived, worked, and raised my family in Lake County for years, and my connection to this place is personal, not political. I’m not running because of a title or political ambition. I’m running because I’ve seen where thoughtful, practical leadership is needed to protect what makes our district special and to plan responsibly for the future.

I’m married to my high school sweetheart and together we raised three sons here in Lake County. Like many families, ours has seen how hard it’s become for the next generation to stay close to home, not because they don’t work hard, but because affordability hasn’t kept pace with real life. That experience shaped my belief that housing, infrastructure, and land-use decisions must work for people across every stage of life.

My work ethic was shaped early on by my parents. As the daughter of a union sheet metal worker, I learned that hard work yields results. My mother showed me what was possible by building a small business while raising four children. Those lessons, fiscal responsibility, attention to detail, and commitment to family, continue to guide me today.

Before running for office, I spent decades working in residential construction, design, supply chain management, and procurement. I studied at Harper College and built my career coordinating complex projects, balancing costs and timing, and making sure systems worked for the people who relied on them. I’ve also been a small business owner, revitalizing a neglected retail storefront into a successful local restaurant — giving me firsthand experience with the challenges and connections that help communities thrive.

My path to public service didn’t start in politics. It started in my neighborhood — where forest preserves, lakes, and open land are part of everyday life. I helped lead a grassroots effort to restore a 32-acre neighborhood forest preserve by removing invasive species, reopening trails, and creating space for neighbors to reconnect with nature. I’ve seen firsthand how flooding, land management, and environmental neglect affect residents — and why long-term stewardship matters.

My focus is rooted in real life in Lake County:

I live here — I know the lakes, forest preserves, and rural roads because I experience them every day.
I listen here — talking with seniors, young adults, families, and longtime residents about what they need from local government.
I care here — not about headlines, but about decisions that will still make sense decades from now.

I believe local leadership should be earned through service, not political ambition. That’s why I’m stepping up to protect Lake County’s land and water, plan growth responsibly, and make decisions that help people who work hard here continue to call Lake County home.

We need a Lake County Board member who cares enough and has the skills to find solutions. I'll be that person. I'll use my practical experiences, devotion, and passion to follow through and advocate for us. I'll dedicate myself, with an unshakable committment, to serving all the people of our district as your next Lake County Board member.

Because for me, leadership isn’t about legacy. It’s about commitment, and there’s no better place to commit than the community you call home.

I'm ready! Let's go!