2019 Chicago aldermanic election

Candidates for city council are required to submit 473 valid signatures from registered voters in their ward to appear on the ballot.^[3][4] A total of 212 candidates submitted nominating petitions, an increase from 184 candidates in the 2015 election.^[1] However, the total number of candidates is lower than the 351 candidates in 2011, the last municipal election that, like 2019, had an open race for mayor.^[4]

In the first round, three aldermen who ran for re-election lost their seats. There were run-offs elections in 14 wards: 10 races where incumbents are running, and four races for open seats.^[5] At least three additional incumbent aldermen were defeated in run-off elections.^[6][7]

Incumbent alderman Proco Joe Moreno unsuccessfully sought reelection. Moreno had been appointed alderman in 2010 by Mayor Richard M. Daley, and had subsequently been reelected in 2011 and 2015. Moreno ultimately lost reelection to his sole challenger, Daniel La Spata.

Two write-in candidates filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, Treasurer in 2019^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]
• Justin Tucker^[14]

One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:^[2]

• Justin Tucker

The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:^[2]

• Trevor Grant, statistician and data scientist, Illinois National Guard Veteran^[23]

Moreno and La Spata appeared at a candidate forum hosted by Logan Square Preservation on January 8, 2019.^[24][25][26]

Incumbent first-term alderman Brian Hopkins won reelection, running unopposed on the ballot.^[2]

Two write-in candidates filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]
• Mollie May Brady^[14]

Incumbent third-term alderman Scott Waguespack won reelection, running unopposed on the ballot.^[2] He appeared at a candidate forum covering the Logan Square neighborhood on January 8, 2019.^[24][35]

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Incumbent ninth-term alderman Patrick J. O'Connor unsuccessfully sought reelection, being defeated by Andre Vasquez in a runoff.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

A candidate forum organized by several community organizations was scheduled on January 29, 2019.^[56]

Incumbent third-term alderman Brendan Reilly won reelection, running unopposed on the ballot.^[2]

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Incumbent second-term alderman Michele Smith won reelection, defeating Derek Lindblom in a runoff.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:^[2]

• Matthew Roney Archived 2018-09-18 at the Wayback Machine, student at DePaul University^[62]

Incumbent fourth-term alderman Tom Tunney won reelection.

The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:^[2]

• Patrick Shine, U.S. Air Force veteran, co-founder of non-profit This Is My Country, Inc.^[67]

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Incumbent second-term alderman James Cappleman won reelection, defeating Marianne Lalonde in a runoff by a margin of only 25 votes (0.09% of the votes cast in the runoff).

Two write-in candidates filed:

• Joann Breivogel^[14]
• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Incumbent second-term alderman Ameya Pawar did not seek reelection as alderman, opting to instead run (unsuccessfully) for City Treasurer of Chicago. Matt Martin was elected to succeed him, defeating Michael Negron in a runoff.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

All candidates, except Kastafaros, appeared at a forum focused on education issues on January 17, 2019.^[95][96] All candidates, except Ladien and Schwartzers, appeared at a forum on business issues on January 24.^[97] A third forum hosted by several neighborhood Chambers of Commerce was scheduled on January 26.^[98]

Runoff

Incumbent second-term alderman Harry Osterman won reelection, defeating David Williams III, his sole challenger.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Incumbent seventh-term alderman Joe Moore unsuccessfully sought reelection. He was defeated by Maria Hadden, his sole challenger.

Through this election, the victor Maria Hadden made history as the first LGBTQ woman of color to be elected to Chicago's City Council.^[115]

Certified candidates^[2]

Name	Experience	Campaign	Ref
Maria Hadden	Executive director and founder of non-profit Our City Our Voice Founding board member of Participatory Budgeting Project	(Website) (Facebook) (Twitter)	[116]
Joe Moore	Incumbent alderman Democratic Committeeman for the 49th ward	(Website) (Facebook) (Twitter)

Two write-in candidates filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]
• Bill Morton

Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:^[2]

• Bill Morton Archived 2019-01-01 at the Wayback Machine, president of the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce^[109]
• Nathan Ben Myers

Hadden and Moore both identify as progressives, but their policy positions differ sharply on a number of issues, including policing, accepting donations from developers, use of tax-increment financing, and charter school expansion.^[117] Both candidates participated in a debate hosted at Sullivan High School on January 15, 2019.^{[118][119][120]} At the debate, they disagreed on a number of issues, including a freeze on new charter schools (Hadden supported one; Moore did not), funding for a new police training facility (Moore supported the ongoing proposal; Hadden did not), and use of tax-increment financing for the proposed Lincoln Yards project (Moore was in favor; Hadden was opposed).^[119][121]

In February 2019, a controversy emerged when two photographers alleged that the Moore campaign used their photographs in campaign advertisements without permission or attribution.^[122] Another controversy emerged late in the campaign when a Moore staffer accused a 15 year old Hadden volunteer (and former Moore intern) of espionage.^{[citation needed]}

Incumbent second-term alderman Debra Silverstein won reelection.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

The following candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:^[2]

• Majid Mustafa

A candidate forum is scheduled for February 10, 2019.^[136]

Incumbent alderman Roberto Maldonado won reelection. Maldonado had been first appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2009, and had subsequently been reelected in 2011 and 2015.

Two write-in candidates filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]
• Mirko "Limo Mike Z" Zaplatic, Jr

Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:^[2]

• Angee Gonzalez Archived 2019-01-03 at the Wayback Machine
• Mirko "Limo Mike Z." Zaplatic Jr.

Incumbent fourth-term alderman Ariel Reboyras won reelection, defeating Jessica Gutierrez in a runoff.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Incumbent first-term alderman Milly Santiago unsuccessfully sought reelection, losing to Felix Cardona, Jr. in a runoff.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:^[2]

• Renne Chavez, candidate for 31st ward alderman in 2015^[148]

Runoff

Incumbent alderman Deb Mell unsuccessfully sought reelection. Mell had first been appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2013, and had subsequently been reelected in 2015. She was defeated by Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez in a runoff.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

The following candidates submitted nominating petition signatures but withdrew before the certification process:^[2]

• Joel Zawko

First round

Runoff

All three candidates appeared at a candidate forum hosted at Bateman Elementary School on February 7, 2019. The forum was originally scheduled for January 30 but was postponed due to the polar vortex.^[157]

Incumbent first-term alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa was reelected, defeating Amanda Yu Dieterich, his sole challenger.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:^[2]

• Mayra Gonzalez
• Walter Zarnecki, Republican Party nominee for Cook County Board Commissioner for the 8th district^[159]

Dieterich and Ramirez-Rosa appeared at a candidate forum hosted by Logan Square Preservation on January 8, 2019.^[25][161]

Incumbent first-term alderman Gilbert Villegas was reelected, running unopposed on the ballot.^[2]

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Incumbent first-term alderman Nicholas Sposato was reelected, running unopposed on the ballot.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:^[2]

• Ralph Pawlikowski, higher education professional and community volunteer^[162]

Incumbent alderman Margaret Laurino did not run for reelection.^[11] Laurino had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1994, and had been reelected six times. Samantha Nugent was elected to succeed her, defeating Robert Murphy in a runoff.

Two write-in candidates filed:

• Mary K. Hunter^[14]
• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

The following candidates submitted nominating petition signatures but withdrew before the certification process:^[2]

• Jeffrey S. La Porte

First round

Runoff

Incumbent first-term alderman Anthony Napolitano won reelection, defeating Tim Heneghan, his sole challenger.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Incumbent second-term alderman John Arena unsuccessfully sought reelection. He was defeated by Jim Gardiner.

Two write-in candidates filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]
• Jose Munoz^[14]

Incumbent alderman Ricardo Muñoz did not run for reelection.^[9] Muñoz had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1993, and had been subsequently reelected six times. Michael D. Rodriguez was elected to succeed him.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

All four candidates appeared at a candidate forum at Little Village Lawndale High School on January 31, 2019.^[176]

Incumbent first-term alderman Michael Scott Jr. won reelection.

Two write-in candidates filed:

• Patricia "Pat" Marshall Adams^[14]
• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:^[2]

• Edward Ward
• Patricia Marshall Archived 2019-01-05 at the Wayback Machine, non-profit founder and manager, community activist and organizer^[179]

One candidate filed nominating petitions but withdrew before ballot certification:^[2]

• Larry Nelson, Republican Committeeman for the 24th Ward^[180]

Incumbent alderman Danny Solis did not run for reelection.^[10] Solis had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1996, and had subsequently been reelected five times. Byron Sigcho-Lopez won the race to succeed him, defeating Alex Acevedo in a runoff.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

All five candidates appeared at a forum hosted by the Pilsen Law Center and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois on January 12, 2019.^[187][188] Two additional forums were scheduled: one hosted by the West Loop Democratic Club is scheduled on January 23,^[188][189] and one hosted by the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community and other Chinatown community organizations on January 28.^[190][191]

First round

Runoff

Incumbent sixth-term alderman Walter Burnett Jr. won reelection, defeating Cynthia Bednarz, his sole challenger.

Three write-in candidates filed:

• Ellen Anderson Corley^[14]
• Andrea "Siri" Hibbler^[14]
• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Incumbent second-term alderman Jason Ervin won reelection.

Three write-in candidates filed:

• Timothy Gladney
• Justina Winfrey
• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

The following candidate submitted nominating petition signatures but withdrew before ballot certification:^[2]

• Justina L. Winfrey, education non-profit founder and manager^[197]
• Theresa Rayford

Incumbent first-term alderman Chris Taliaferro won reelection.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

One candidate was removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:^[2]

• Gayinga Washington

Incumbent alderman Emma Mitts won reelection. Mitts had first been appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2000, and had subsequently been reelected in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Three write-in candidates filed:

• Stephen Hodge^[14]
• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]
• Otis Percy^[14]

Incumbent first-term alderman Patrick Daley Thompson won reelection, defeating David Mihalyfy, his sole challenger on the ballot.

One write-in candidate filed:

• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Incumbent fourth-term alderman George Cardenas won reelection.

Two write-in candidates filed:

• Samuel Alcantar^[14]
• Richard Benedict Mayers,^[14] perennial candidate and alleged white supremacist,^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} write-in candidate for Chicago Mayor, City Clerk, and Treasurer in 2019;^[14] congressional candidate in 2000,^[19] 2002,^[19] 2008,^[19] 2016, and 2018;^[21][22] 1998 State House candidate;^[19] 1993 Berwyn city clerk and city treasurer candidate^[19]

Two candidates were removed from the ballot due to insufficient nominating petition signatures:^[2]

• Francisco Nunez Sr.
• Samuel Alcantar