The Field is Set and the Ballot Order is In

The first stage is done and like 255 other Chicagoans the four candidates for 49th Ward Alderman now moves on to the important stuff: What are they going to do if they are fortunate enough to get elected?  The lottery for ballot position was drawn today.  Since all of the candidates filed on the first day at 9:00 am, one with what is presumed to be a very duck(?) outfit, they were all in the lottery for first ballot position.  The Chicago Board of Elections determines the order.  The ballot order, as a result of the Chicago Board of Elections lottery will be as follows: Moore, Gordon, Ginderske, Adams.  Historically, being first is best, being last is second best, second and third is not much different, but worse than first or last.  Interestingly, that is by some people’s conventional wisdom, the order in which the candidates will finish in February.  I wish the best of luck to those running.  One can only hope that on February 27th the people in the ward will be the winners.

So what about the other races? There are races in 47 wards.  Three Alderman are unopposed, Manny Flores (1rst), Tom Tunney (44th) and Tom Allen (38th).  There are some races with one-on-ones and some with as many as 15 candidates, (15th).  Are ward having 4 candidates is fairly average.  There are at least two good candidates in the race for Mayor and maybe three.  There seems to be little doubt by political people and media that Daley will win, but he is actually the one with the lowest number of petitions in the race.  Petition signatures don’t equal votes, but they do reflect the strength of the candidate’s organization and to a lesser degree their commitment to winning.  An exciting race for mayor could be a great boost for turnout across the city while a race that is no contest will drive turnout down.

The race for the City Clerk has drawn a large field, but who are these people beyond DelValle?  The race for Treasurer is the newly appointed incumbent and one other candidate.  Again, who are these people?

This election likely marks the beginning of the end for the old fashion ward/mayor organizations based on patronage and the beginning of a new era.  Expect much greater union participation, both in volunteers and donations, as SEIU, the Change to Win Coalition, and the Chicago Federation of Labor step up their participation and try to put hundreds of their members into the field for candidates that support their policies and members.  Even the Chamber of Commerce is trying to get involved and a well placed source has it they are flirting with not one, but two Joe Moore opponents.

It is the holiday season.  The next 9 to 10 days will be quite.  But, starting January 3rd, expect that candidates will be coming from all four corners, non-stop for 57 days in a sprint to the February 27th finish line.

There is no doubt here, I am supporting Joe Moore. 

Go Joe!