In the 33rd Ward, lesbian Ald. Deb Mell will face off against Tim Meegan, a social studies instructor at Roosevelt High School; Annisa Wanat, a nonprofit consultant; and Tyler Soloria, a student and activist for veterans' causes.
Openly gay Ald. Tom Tunney faces challenges to his 44th Ward seat from businessman Mark Thomas and management consultant and activist Scott Davis. State Restaurant General Manager Robin Cook withdrew from the race and is backing Thomas.
Openly gay 46th Ward Ald. James Cappleman will run against lesbian candidate Amy Crawford, an attorney, as well as Denice Davis, an activist who is the former chief of staff to former Ald. Helen Shiller.
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa is challenging incumbent Rey Colon to represent the 35th Ward. In September, Ramirez-Rosa told Windy City Times, "I am tired of the direction our city is going in. I see our public dollars handed out to private pockets while our potholes aren't being fixed and our schools are neglected. I also see the need for elected officials who are … building relationships with community and advocacy groups."
Openly gay Joe Laiacona, who in 2010 ran against Mell in the House primary race, is this year challenging longtime Ald. Margaret Laurino for her seat representing the 39th Ward. Laiacona told NBC-5 that he is running because the district is changing and he thinks that Laurino has become disconnected from her constituents. Robert Murphy and Mary Hunter are also running.
Jocelyn Hare, who identifies as queer, has been a board member of the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance for six years, is a supporter of increasing the minimum wage, and believes in a woman's right to choose. She is one of several candidates challenging incumbent Ald. Leslie Hairston in the 5th Ward.
Lastly, on a related note, 15th Ward Democratic Committeeman Raymond Lopez has the backing of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund ( as do Mell, Tunney and Cappleman ). Lopez and his family have called Brighton Park home for the last several years. He is one of several candidates battling to replace Ald. Toni Foulkes, who is now running in the 16th Ward.
Matt Simonette
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