Chicago Election Begins Taking Shape As First Candidates File Petitions
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The first day of candidate filings for the city elections in February gave some early indications about the various races, but can't tell the whole story.
WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports a total of 127 candidates filed petitions on Monday to run for mayor, city treasurer, city clerk, or alderman. The deadline for filing nominating petitions is next Monday, but the first day's filings often are a show of strength and determination by some candidates.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel's re-election campaign, for example, filed tens of thousands more signatures than the 12,500 needed to get him on the ballot. Two other candidates – Frederick Collins and Fenton Patterson – filed petitions to run for mayor, but not the expected top challengers, Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd) and Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-7th)
No candidates have filed yet for city treasurer or city clerk, though Clerk Susana Mendoza is expected to run again, and incoming Treasurer Kurt Summers has said he will run for the office in February, after Emanuel appointed him to replace Treasurer Stephanie Neely, who is leaving the post for a private sector job.
A total of 124 candidates have filed petitions to run for aldermen, though in 11 wards, only the incumbent alderman has filed so far. Those wards are the 12th, 13th, 14th, 28th, 30th, 32nd, 40th, 42nd, 47th, 48th, and 50th.
In seven other wards – the 2nd, 11th, 15th, 17th, 20th, 36th, and 38th – no incumbent has filed yet. In the 2nd Ward, Ald. Bob Fioretti has announced he is running for mayor. In the 11th Ward, Ald. James Balcer is retiring, and Patrick Daley Thompson – the grandson of Mayor Richard J. Daley and nephew of Mayor Richard M. Daley – has filed to run in the family's Bridgeport neighborhood.
In the 38th Ward, Ald. Tim Cullerton is retiring, and 36th Ward Ald. Nicholas Sposato has filed nominating petitions for Cullerton's seat, after his ward changed significantly when new ward boundaries were drawn in the latest remap.
So far, the 7th ward has the most potential candidates, with seven people filing nominating petitions on Monday, including incumbent Ald. Natashia Holmes, who was appointed to the seat last year, after Ald. Sandi Jackson pleaded guilty to federal tax charges. Three other wards -- the 2nd, 29th, and 38th -- have four people who filed petitions on Monday.
Some candidates, however, could be tossed from the ballot before the election, as they might face challenges if they have not filed enough valid signatures.