A Brief Word on a Marquee Race

By Kevin Robinson in News on Dec 13, 2006 2:50PM

Although she hasn't officially announced to the press yet, it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that Jesse Jackson Jr's wife Sandi will be running against William Beaver's daughter Darcel for 7th Ward Alderman.

This race looks to be one of the hottest and most contested races in the city this election cycle, as William Beavers tries to hold onto the Ward he left for the County Commission, and Jackson Jr tries to build a base for a future run. Darcel Beavers is already poised to take a seat on the council, as Daley prepares to appoint people to three vacant seats.

In comments to the press, both William Beavers and Jesse Jackson Jr's statements illustrated their differences in style. Jackson said "for 22 years Ald. Beavers has represented the interests of downtown very well. They have Millennium Park and they have Navy Pier. The 7th Ward deserves an alderman who will look out for our interests." Beavers, on the other hand, said that he believes 7th Ward voters will choose Darcel Beavers over Sandi Jackson. "Then maybe [Jesse Jackson Jr.] will go back to Congress or maybe go back to his hole and hide". Where Jackson is polished and strategic, Beavers is so arrogant, he just comes out and says what's on his mind.