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Rep. Deb Mell wants father's seat on Chicago City Council

Mon. July 8, 2013

Chicago, IL - Out lesbian state Rep. Deb Mell will pursue her father's 33rd Ward Aldermanic seat. 

"I think I'm going to have a strong application," she told NBC 5 on Monday. "And I hope I get the job."



Deb Mell, who is the first openly lesbian member of the Illinois General Assembly, has been instrumental in the process to pass equal marriage in the state.

Last week after nearly 40 years of service, Ald. Richard Mell, 74, announced his resignation, effective July 24.  

A "blue ribbon" committee is responsible for selecting the top candidates for the job, then Mayor Rahm Emanuel will select Ald. Mell's replacement.  

If selected, Deb Mell, 44, would be the third openly LGBT alderman in Chicago, after Alds. Tom Tunney and James Cappleman. In 2010, Mell and her partner, Christin Baker, were married in Iowa. 



Emanuel is expected to install a new alderman at the July 24 City Council meeting. 

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