Two aldermanic races that are shaping up to be real contests in the city have drawn a lot of attention not only from locals, but also from organizations that would like to put a dent in Daley's grip on the city. Two higher-profile candidates, Greg Brewer and Scott Waguespack, have gotten endorsements from labor groups that are itching for a fight with the mayor and his allies on the council.
In the 32nd Ward, things aren't looking bright for Ted Matlak, with accusations of city workers knocking on doors, on city time, and doing other campaign work. Further complicating this for Steady Teddy are past contributions his campaign accepted from contractors caught up in the Hired Truck scandal. Waguespack is working hard to connect Matlak to both the Hired Truck scandal and convicted water department honcho Donald Tomczak. Ward residents are already largely convinced that Matlak is an ineffective idiot that can't run the ward right. If Waguespack can't pull this one out, we'll be stunned.
In the 50th Ward, Bernie Stone and his ward heels are accused of taking down Brewer's campaign signs (not an unusual tactic in ward races). Throw Naisy Dolar and Salman Aftab into the mix, along with changing demographics in the ward, and you have a situation ripe for an April runoff, if the opposition plays their cards right.
Both Waguespack and Brewer also stand to benefit from endorsements by labor unions angry with Daley. While Matlak and Stone might be able to fire up the old machines that they or their predecessors built, unions like SEIU, the Teamsters and AFSCME can turn out their members in droves when they decide to get behind a candidate. That should have both Stone and Matlak worried about the security of their jobs (and in Stone's case, the future of his daughter's seat on the city council).
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Nobody has explained to me why labor would help take out Matlak, who voted FOR the big-box wage rule, if I'm not mistaken. What did Ted do to make labor mad?
Also -- go Scott! But where are your yard signs? Matlak has all kinds of signs up around the 32nd. I haven't seen any for Scott. Is the thinking that signs don't matter?
Naisy Dolar is another high profiled candidate in the 50th Ward. She already has received support from prominent leaders. She's tough, articulate, personable, AND already has the qualifications and experience to get the job done in the ward and City Hall!
Naisy Dolar for 50th Ward Alderman!
Soliders?
I see Naisy Dolar's cheerleading team is at it again. Funny that her supporters have to chime in and promote her because no respected journalists will.
I'm sure Naisy is a nice girl, but she's not qualified to be alderman.
Greg Brewer has the distinct advantage of being truthful about his credentials and qualifications!
At least Greg Brewer has the distinct advantage of being honest about his credentials and qualifications!
At least Greg Brewer has the distinct advantage of being honest about his credentials and qualifications!
Greg Brewer is arrogant and dismissive. His campaign manager -- a hired gun from out of state -- has already offended many voters in the ward. He recently tried to prevent Greg from speaking at a community forum--the residents had to shame Greg into agreeing to participate. That doesn't bode well for how responsive Greg will be to the community.
I decided to support Naisy because I'm sick of Stone, and I saw all the other challengers in person (some more than twice). She is honest, hardworking, and will be great in truly listening to the residents and helping improve life in the neighborhood.
Signs don't vote!
Matlak is going down because he votes with the mayor 100% of the time, and because the 32nd Ward doesn't need a yes-man flunkie, they need some new blood who has a more holistic vision for the ward outside of "You say want to build a bigger cinderblock building? Fabulous idea, let me grease the zoning process for you!"
Brewer also has the distinct advantage of being able to give his campaign an $85,000 boost from his own pocket! If that's not dedication, I don't know what is. He's his own biggest fan.
whoa 85k... how is he going to repay his loans? did the unions realize this before their endorsement? if i were the unions, i'd be wondering where my money is heading.
$85,000.00 in loans? I wonder if the unions are regretting endorsing a candidate who has no support and who will use the money to pay off his loans. Jeeze!
yd and mms: I'm not sure why you think that Brewer has no support? Because he made a personal loan to his own campaign? It's not uncommon for candidates to make personal loans to their own campaigns, and as far as I know, it's perfectly legal. After the elections are over, the campaign will have a fundraiser to cancel the debt incurred over the course of the race, or another candidate that is carrying a surplus will write the debt off.
As for "the unions", that money came out of PAC and COPE funds, which are separate from dues collected from the general membership. PAC and COPE money is only spent on a candidate after members of the committee that steers the fund vote to make the expenditure. There is generally a comprehensive vetting process that goes on before one of those funds parts with resources. Most unions won't put money and time into a candidate unless they have determined that they will get something out of it in the long run.
Kevin: A few things. In addition to the boots on the ground the unions will often put money into a candidate's fund, but its doubtful that the unions will give much more in the way of cash because Brewer as such a large debt is there is fear that he will use it to pay down his debt as opposed to putting it in his campaign. Brewer's low donor count indicates that he won't be able to rely on contributions to pay down his debt AND THAT IS A HUGE CONCERN TO THE UNIONS WHO BACKED HIM. SEIU is most likely thanking their lucky stars they did not get caught up in this mess, and that is what it is. Additionally, if he were to end up in a run off, he will most likely have to increase his debt because he has donor base to rely on replenish his coffers.
He has been paying AC $4,000 a month, since July and he is also paying Owen and Dooley, if you look at his D-2's that is very top heavy and very wasteful. You would like to think for all the cash he is spend on paid staff they would have helped him raise more the $10,000, that is a sign of a lazy candidate and a lazy staff. If Aftab, who has been busted for a hate crime, has raised $22,000.
Sure other candidates loan themselves money, however it is usually a fraction of their total fund, not over 80% of it. Brendan Reilly has loaned himself a significant amount of money, however its less than a quarter of his overall balance.
We can argue this point, but in the coming month we will see how it shakes out.
On Feb. 3, Kevin wrote:
After the elections are over, the campaign will have a fundraiser to cancel the debt incurred over the course of the race, or another candidate that is carrying a surplus will write the debt off.
Is that what's going to happen, Kevin? Really? In just one fundraiser? Are Dolar and Aftab expected to bail him out?
Still waiting for the blog post where you concede that you don't have a clue about politics.
Thanks!