Will Deb Mell Get Dad's Seat On City Council?
By Samantha Abernethy in News on Jul 10, 2013 10:20PM
State Rep. Deb Mell and soon-to-be-former Ald. Dick Mell
Ald. Mell (33rd) announced on July 3 that he is stepping down on July 24. The Mayor's office is accepting applications to fill his seat until 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 11. Dick Mell was quick to endorse his daughter to take over his seat, and Deb Mell was quick to say, "I think I'm going to have a strong application, and I hope I get the job."
"State Rep. Deb Mell is not guaranteed the job because her last name is Mell," Emanuel said Tuesday. "And state Rep. Deb Mell is not excluded from the job because her last name is Mell." He managed to slip in a couple of sideways compliments, too. The Sun-Times writes:
“State Rep. Deb Mell is not guaranteed a job in City Council because she would be the first [openly] lesbian [alderman] or because she had breast cancer. But, she’s not excluded because she would be the first lesbian and the first woman, as [far as] I know, that has breast cancer. I remind all of you [that] she was endorsed by both papers when she ran for state rep.”
The mayor has promised a transparent process involving a commission of advisers. “I’ll have a standard, as I did in the 7th Ward, which is will the person bring a level of reform, and commitment to public service in representing the entire ward?” Emanuel said.
In February, Emanuel chose Natashia L. Holmes to replace Sandi Jackson as alderman of the Seventh Ward. Jackson. Jackson resigned as she and her husband Jesse Jackson Jr. faced legal issues, and at the time she tried to give an endorsement for her replacement. Despite the Jacksons' disgraceful exit from politics, the family name has influence, but Emanuel ignored that endorsement.
As Dick Mell leaves his post as alderman, he will remain Democratic Committeeman in the 33rd Ward, and Deb Mell will continue to serve as state representative in Springfield. The political consequences of getting on their wrong side could be tough for Emanuel.
There are a limited number of surnames in Illinois politics: Madigan, Daley, Jackson, Berrios... Mell is also tangled with that unique surname Blagovich. Rod married Dick Mell's daughter Patti, and Deb Mell was in the uncomfortable position of casting the sole "no" vote against impeaching Gov. Blagojevich. In a recent interview, Dick Mell admitted that aiding his son-in-law's reach for office was one of his biggest regrets.