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One of the races that we've been watching this winter is the Democratic Primary in the 3rd Congressional District. Incumbent Dan Lipinski is hoping voters will send him back to D.C. for a third term, but he's facing a tough challenge from Mark Pera, an assistant county prosecutor from Western Springs. That challenge may have gotten a little tougher yesterday when Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool endorsed Pera.
If you don't remember the 2004 general election, the elder Lipinski won renomination in the primary, withdrew during the campaign year, and then led the process to pick his replacement on the November ballot — settling on his son Dan, a political science professor from Tennessee. Although that nepotistic sleight of hand pissed off some voters in the southwest side district, it wasn't enough to stop him from being re-elected in '06. Claypool summed up some of that frustration yesterday, saying "voters are ready to turn the page on old-style patronage politics. We need new independent leaders who will serve only the public interest, not the interests of ward bosses, lobbyists and special interests. ... I look forward to seeing him serve the 3rd district in the U.S. Congress." Claypool isn't the only independent Democrat to come out for Pera. Chicago Aldermen Manny Flores, Brendan Reilly, and Scott Waguespack are hosting a fundraiser for Pera next Thursday, December 13, at Cleo's (on Armitage). Getting fundraising help and endorsements from anti-machine Democrats is a key part of the Pera strategy. Whether he can turn out the vote against an incumbent congressman who has the backing of the Machine remains to be seen.
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This is great news. Maybe, just maybe, Lipinski will get booted. Claypool has a lot of friends who could be donors to Pera.
Also, I bet this will not be the last big name to endorse Pera. When others feel Pera has chance, they may jump on his bandwagon. Viva la revolucion! Well, this is as much revolution as one can get it a machine town.
Yes, quite a revolution. A fundraiser on the trendy North Side to give voters in the bungalow belt on the southwest side the elected representatives they "need." Claypool is an elitist snob, which is why people keep seeing through him and voting against him. Unfortunately he is always running against hacks, so rejecting Claypool's elitism gets us a hack.
Yes, quite a revolution. A fundraiser on the trendy North Side to give voters in the bungalow belt on the southwest side the elected representatives they "need." Claypool is an elitist snob, which is why people keep seeing through him and voting against him. Unfortunately he is always running against hacks, so rejecting Claypool's elitism gets us a hack.
Yes, quite a revolution. A fundraiser on the trendy North Side to give voters in the bungalow belt on the southwest side the elected representatives they "need." Claypool is an elitist snob, which is why people keep seeing through him and voting against him. Unfortunately he is always running against hacks, so rejecting Claypool's elitism gets us a hack.
Good point Chicago D, but point of order sir,
Cleo's is on the Northwestside around the hood of Le Spook, which means they still buck in that part of bucktown and especially Logan square which is a few blocks west. You need to get out more Chicago D.
But also interesting Manny is really spearing his angelic wings! He is also running some one against
State Sen Willie Delgado who was "appointed" by then State Senator Senator and progressive Miguel
del Valle when he became Clerk. What about that for a post/story Keven Kev Kev??
Chuck D: You have a point in that we should always be on the lookout for money being raised from people OUTSIDE a congressional district. Normally, I would side with you on that note.
However, this Lipinski thing is so sleazy that Pera is forced to get money and supporters elsewhere. Sure, that activity could get a district to elect a Congressman that average residents do not want or who will not serve the residents.
However, that is not going to be the case in Lipinski's district. The deck is stacked so much in Lipinski's favor that having fundraisers elsewhere for Pera will simply level the playing field. The out-of-district fundraisers are a necessary evil in this case.
Then voters can decide whom they want. Maybe they'll pick Pera, maybe they won't. At least now they will have a realistic choice.
Chicago D: Sorry for mistyping your moniker!