Assessor Race Takes Violent Turn

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jan 28, 2010 3:40PM

Things are getting downright violent in the Democratic race for Cook County Assessor. Candidate Raymond Figueroa is still in a hospital recovering from an incident in which he confronted a man trying to steal campaign signs out of his yard. Figueroa indicated he believes the entire incident was politically motivated.

"I'm in politics to try and try to make people's lives better. There are going to be some lumps along the way," said Raymond Figueroa, (D) Candidate for Cook Co. Assessor.

Figueroa said he had just returned home from campaigning Tuesday at 7 p.m. when he saw a man in his late 30's slash signs of his and other candidates on his lawn. He said he asked the man to put down the signs. The man then punched him, he said, and Figueroa swung back. He thinks he caught the back of his hand on a corner of one of the signs.

"I would never, never in my wildest dreams find myself in a physical altercation regarding a sign. I've been in politics a good portion of my adult life," said Figueroa.

Figueroa formerly served on the City Council as alderman of the 31st Ward where he was an ally of Mayor Harold Washington. Police are investigating but no arrests or charges have been made.