Rumble in the 25th Ward

By Kate Gardiner in News on Jun 8, 2009 2:00PM

Ald. Danny Solis (25th) may have to face a runoff in Pilsen if a federal appeals court decides to overturn his 2007 election to the office. The election two years ago hinged on 178 votes originally cast for disgraced candidate Ambrosio Medrano, who was disqualified by the Illinois Supreme Court for his felony conviction a mere four days before the late February vote. Solis won, but by a tally of only 49.95 percent.

If the challenge is upheld, and a new election is scheduled, third place finisher Cuahatemoc Morfin told Chicagoist he would be in the running - provided election judges allow him back on the ballot. Morfin just won another runoff election in Pilsen - for community representative at the Local School Council. About the 2007 election, Morfin said, "I can tell you this - I'm not at all happy that things turned out the way they turned out. The voters were disenfranchised. I think your constitutitional right to vote is sacred and shouldn't be taken away from anyone."

Morfin said that the election board had to suspect that Medrano would be convicted prior to the eleciton, but took no precautionary measures. As a result, Medrano was still on the ballot Feb. 27. "It's pretty clear that it was planned out," Morfin said. "The Chicago Board of Elections knew that convicted felons couldn't be on the ballot - why did they wait so long to take him off? It was unfair to the voter."

"If the judges rule in favor of the voters of the 25th Ward," Morfin said, "I'm ready for a special election." Morfin said he doubted the CBOE would be ready for a new election before September 2009, if the judges decide that a runoff election is appropriate. Of his opponents, Morfin said, "The problem with Solis is that he’s a Machine guy - he’s not there to represent the interest of the people of the 25th Ward."

"If you ask people 'What do you think about Danny Solis?'" said Morfin, "They say 'He's no good.'"

"People are sick and tired of quick-fix politics, yet politicians are getting away with it," he added. "Regardless of what election - my job is that I need to inform people, and come out with the facts so that people can make their choices when they go to the polls." Morfin said he thinks the political environment in Pilsen and other neighborhoods on the Near South Side has changed - to his benefit over the intervening two years. "When I ran against Solis the first time, it was my first campaign," he said. "Now, I have more experience, training. I want to serve the community I was raised in."

Morfin also noted that the five other candidates in the race, Aaron Del Valle, Juan Soliz, Joe Acevedo and Martha Padilla have not been as visible in the community since the 2007 race. "They’ve all disappeared - since the election," he said. "Anyone can put their names on the ballot - but I continue to be here - and I’m not going anywhere...It’s a career I’ve chosen because I’m passionate about it - I don’t want to be a politician."