December 31, 2003
RYAN INDICTMENT WON'T HURT BATTLING REPUBLICANS
George Ryan's indictment is not a catastrophe for Republicans, and may be a boon. Ryan's trial is not until 2005, so it won't be an issue in 2004. Both retiring U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald and U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald may run for governor in 2006, as reformers, which upsets Trreasurer Judy Baar Topinka's plans. Topinka has her own problems, as state Republican chairman, and otherwise. Clark Pellett is running candidates for GOP ward committeeman in the 3/04 primary, and wants to be the pro-Topinka city Republican chairman. He has plenty of opposition. Topinka's in a lose/lose situation. Full Article...
December 24, 2003
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN 30TH, 32ND, 33RD WARDS
Northwest Side political action is now fast and furious. In the 32nd Ward, John Fritchey is under pressure to fold as a candidate for Democratic committeeman. Does he defy Daley, or quit and than hope to run for city clerk in 2007? In the 33rd Ward, Dick Mell, the state's First Father-In-Law, may retire as alderman in 2004; he's getting a lot of grief about state patronage. In the 30th Ward. Mike Wojcik has a no-clout job. And in the 10th Judicial Subcircuit, Potasiak's death muddles the picture, but a brutal McGing-Pucinski race is in store of the other vacancy. Full Article...
December 17, 2003
MAJOR BATTLES LOOM IN 41ST AND 45TH WARDS
The political combat in the Northwest Side's 41st and 45th Ward is reaching mortal proportions. Incumbent Democratic Committeeman Tom Lyons faces several foes in what will be a preliminary skirmish for the 2007 aldermanic race. In the 41st Ward, incumbent Republican Committeeman Mike McAuliffe faces a tough foe in Walter Dudycz, a former state senator, who wants to be city Republican chairman. The outcome will impact on McAuliffe's efforts to withstand a challenge by Ralph Capparelli for the 20th District Illinois House seat. Full Article...
December 10, 2003
MAJOR POLITICAL RACES LOOM AS FILING BEGINS
Natarus has been alderman since 1971. In winning his ninth term in 2003, Natarus defeated Rich Gordon, the ward’s Republican committeeman, by 5,540-4,378, a 56 percent majority. 41st Ward (far Northwest Side): Both incumbent committeemen will face a concerted challenge. Expect Capparelli to win in the 20th District primary, because of divided opposition, but watch the numbers: in the 2002 primary, Capparelli-backed Bob Bugielski got 10,754 votes (53.9 percent) against Coconate’s 5,444 votes (27.3 percent) and Lou Giovanetti’s 3,743 votes (18.8 percent). Full Article...
December 3, 2003
GOP CEMENTS U.S. HOUSE CONTROL THROUGH 2006
In 1994, Republicans won their first majority in the U.S. House in 40 years, and have kept it in the four ensuing elections, for one reason: their burgeoning political strength in the South. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, Democrats held over 90 percent of the South's House seats -- and that gave them solid control of the House. Now two-thirds of the South's seats are held by Republicans, and that gives the GOP their narrow 229-206 majority. The Republicans will keep control in 2004, but might have problems in 2006. Full Article...
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