Mary Rada Walters, a Lombard attorney and Democrat, is running for DuPage County Board District 2 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. She faces Republican Theresa McClear.

Asked why she is running, Walters said in our questionnaire: "I believe local government should work for the people who live here. I've spent my career helping people through some of the hardest moments of their lives, and I've seen how much government services can matter when someone is struggling with housing, health care, disability, or financial security."

She added: "I also see firsthand from working in the bankruptcy field how affordability is affecting DuPage families. People are working, but still struggling to afford housing, groceries, transportation and health care."

Candidate information

Party: Democrat

Education: Walters listed in our questionnaire: "BA Music, University of Louisville" and "JD, UIC John Marshall Law School."

Family: "Husband, Daughter (8)," Walters listed in our questionnaire.

Government connections in family: Asked whether anyone in her family works in politics or government, Walters said: "Yes, my father is Bob Rada, an Oakbrook Terrace Alderman in Ward 3."

Endorsement: IUOE Local 150

Previous elected or appointed office: "N/A," Walters said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Walters described her work history in our questionnaire: "I'm an attorney and currently work in the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee's Office in Lisle, where I review bankruptcy cases, debtor budgets, and repayment plans and help oversee the administration of Chapter 13 cases. I've spent almost a decade working in bankruptcy law, previously representing people who are overwhelmed by debt and helping them find a way forward. I've also previously represented people applying for Social Security Disability benefits, helping them navigate a complex system with dignity and respect."

Walters won the Democratic primary on March 17, 2026, with 62.31 percent of the vote over Mahnoor Ahmad, according to The Ballot Brief.

On the issues

What sets her apart from other candidates: Walters said in our questionnaire: "I bring a combination of legal experience, advocacy, and firsthand experience with the financial pressures facing families in DuPage. … I know how important it is to have someone in your corner who will listen, ask questions, and stand up for you." She said she would "advocate for the residents of District 2 … while also understanding that governing requires working with other Board members to get things done."

Accomplishments as evidence for the job: "My career as an attorney is probably the best evidence of how I would approach this job," Walters said. "I've had to understand the numbers, review financial records, manage limited resources and advocate for my clients while working with people who don't always agree with me. … I regularly see how the cost of housing, health care, transportation, and basic necessities affects families' financial stability."

Best advice she has received: Walters cited the saying, "People may not remember everything you say, but they will remember how you made them feel." She said in our questionnaire: "I think that applies to government, too. People should be able to come to their local government and feel heard and respected."