The Cook County Democratic Party has declined to endorse four-term county court clerk Dorothy Brown for re-election amid reports of a federal investigation.
Party leaders withdrew their support after Brown asked them to continue backing her in the March 15 primary. Brown has downplayed the investigation, saying such probes are not unusual.
FBI investigators confiscated Brown's cellphone this month after securing a subpoena. Reports say federal officials are looking into her office's management and possibly a land deal involving Brown and her husband, Benton Cook III.Brown could still run for re-election without party support but it would be harder for her to raise money.
The party committee members endorsed Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris for the clerk's post instead.
