 In 1970, she became the first Democrat to win election to countywide office in Lake County since the American Civil War, and served as the Lake County clerk from 1970 to 1982.Stern became the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1982, but she and the party's gubernatorial nominee, Adlai Stevenson III, lost narrowly (by 5,074 votes statewide, or 0.14 percent of the vote) to incumbent Republican Governor James R. Thompson and his running mate (later disgraced Governor) George Ryan.Stern continued to be known for her wit, charm and dedication to public service as she served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1985 to 1993.