What party is Thomas J. Dart?

Thomas J. Dart is running as a Democrat.

Is Thomas J. Dart the incumbent?

Yes. Thomas J. Dart currently holds this office.

Who is Thomas J. Dart running against?

Brad Sandefur, for Cook County Sheriff.

How much money has Thomas J. Dart raised?

$259K as of the latest state campaign-finance filings.

Should I vote for Thomas J. Dart?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare Thomas J. Dart's record, funding and endorsements with the other candidates in this race and decide based on what matters to you.

Thomas J. Dart

Democrat · Candidate for Cook County Sheriff · Incumbent · November 3, 2026

About this race

The county's chief law-enforcement officer. Runs the sheriff's office and usually the county jail, patrols areas outside city police departments, and serves court papers.

2 candidates are running for Cook County Sheriff in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Immigration enforcement (ICE 287(g))

ICE's list of 287(g) participating agencies shows no agreement for Cook County's sheriff's office.

Under 287(g), ICE trains and authorizes local officers to carry out some federal immigration duties. From ICE's list of participating agencies, as of October 28, 2026. Whether to keep, change or end an agreement is up to the sheriff.

About Thomas J. Dart

Cook County Sheriff; attorney. Cook County Sheriff since 2006. Previously an assistant Cook County state's attorney, an Illinois state senator and representative (1991–2003), and chief of staff to former Sheriff Michael Sheahan. Holds a history degree from Providence College and a law degree from Loyola University Chicago.

Summarized in our words from source 1, source 2, checked October 2026. Not an endorsement.

Where they stand

Moderately left, from the giving patterns of their campaign donors (DIME campaign-finance score, Stanford). Based on the 265 donors to their 2016 campaign for sheriff. DIME doesn't name donors: it places each one by everyone they give to, then places the candidate by their donors.

Source: data · how scores are linked to one scale.

Funding

$259K raised, $3,171 from small donors.

Largest donors	Amount
Local #399 Political Education FUND	$10K
John Winters	$7,000
Carolyn Kissane	$7,000
Leroy Rosasco	$5,200
Reilly's Daughter	$4,500
Mcmahon FOOD Corporation	$4,098
Abraham Yasin	$3,439

Source: Illinois State Board of Elections, reports through 2026-10-28.

More about Thomas J. Dart

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Also running

Brad Sandefur · Libertarian

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Quick answers

What party is Thomas J. Dart?: Thomas J. Dart is running as a Democrat.
Is Thomas J. Dart the incumbent?: Yes. Thomas J. Dart currently holds this office.
What does the Cook County Sheriff seat do?: The county's chief law-enforcement officer. Runs the sheriff's office and usually the county jail, patrols areas outside city police departments, and serves court papers.
Who is Thomas J. Dart running against?: Brad Sandefur, for Cook County Sheriff.
How much money has Thomas J. Dart raised?: $259K as of the latest state campaign-finance filings.
Is Thomas J. Dart liberal or conservative?: On SpectrumVote's left–right scale, Thomas J. Dart is moderately left, from the giving patterns of their campaign donors (DIME campaign-finance score, Stanford). This comes from published research, not our opinion.
Should I vote for Thomas J. Dart?: SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare Thomas J. Dart's record, funding and endorsements with the other candidates in this race and decide based on what matters to you.

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