Fornek on the Aldermanic Run-offs

He does a very good piece on the aldermanic run-offs, though I think one point is lost in the article.

One of the advantages the union candidates have is that the run-offs are going to be even lower turnout than the general and the unions are going to have the best turnout operation going.  That mean Joe Moore should be safe, but it also means union backed challengers taking 5 seats as is the prediction in the piece isn’t unrealistic.

Right after the initial election I suggested that 2 races were sure pick-ups for the unions and that 2 were toss-ups.  One was 15 which is actually an open seat.  Meaning I predicted the potential for 3 pick-ups being Tillman 3, Coleman 16, and Brookins 21, but Brookins isn’t one of the five.  Haithcock 2 and Matlak 32.  Matlak and his opponent split union support so it’s a different case. To me, Brookins may yet be vulnerable as well meaning there are 5 targets that may yet be taken down depending upon turnout.

And, of course, there is no turnout counterweight since the Machine is not sending people out given the current legal situation.  If the unions do take out a total of 6 to 7 alderman, not only will they have built a modern machine, but they would have implemented it in a very short time creating a lot of heartburn amongst the party regulars who will have to listen to them or face more challenges.

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