ArchPundit

Challenging Lipinski
THE LANDMARK VIEW

It is far too early, and in the midst of this August heat, too, to think seriously about the Democratic primary next February. Though The Landmark will never suggest who you might vote for as a presidential candidate, we will, eventually, be hot and heavy in the race for the Third Congressional District. That’s the seat bequeathed to Dan Lipinski some three years ago by his generous-but cynical-father, William Lipinski.

In a hand-off that made Todd Stroger’s ascendency seen downright democratic, Lipinski the Elder anointed his son after winning his party’s 2004 primary and then promptly announcing that he was retiring. Bill Lipinski had pre-greased the wheels with the Democratic committeemen of the Third District on his son’s behalf.

Voila. Dan Lipinski goes to Washington.

Can you tell that it still sticks in our collective craw?

Among the many reasons Chicago and Illinois politics are so corrupt and corrosive is the rampant nepotism at play. This is, after all, a democracy, not a kingdom with royal lineage.

So we’re happy to see that a legitimate challenger is rising up for the February primary in the person of Mark Pera. A Western Springs resident, Pera is known in these parts for his service as president of the Lyons Township High School board. Pera is showing his stuff in two ways. First, he is raising significant cash to take on the lobbyist-larded Lipinski. Pera has even taken out a second mortgage to loan the proceeds to his effort. That though is not the sum total of his fundraising. He has built a network of early support, both financial and grassroots. Second, he is clearly differentiating himself from Lipinski’s political positions on issues such as the war and social issues such as abortion.

It is a good start to what we hope will be a vigorous campaign. Finally Dan Lipinski should be forced to win his seat in Congress legitimately.