Early voting begins in 5th District special election

Chicago, IL - Early voting in the 5th Congressional District Special Primary Election begins today, February 16.

The race to fill Rahm Emanuel's Senate seat is crowded, with 12 Democrats, 6 Republicans and 5 Green Party candidates. Emanuel resigned to become President Barack Obama's White House chief of staff, setting off a crowded race for the seat he held for six years.

The 5th district, which covers most of Chicago's North Side, comprises the majority of the city's LGBT voters and state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) will be going head-to-head for the gay vote with Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley.

Feigenholtz has received endorsements from Equality Illinois Political Director Rick Garcia and Art Johnston, a popular co-founder of the gay rights group. The Service Employees International Union and UNITE have also endorsed Feigenholtz citing her advocacy on health care and worker's rights.

On Saturday, the Chicago Sun-Times became the first major paper to endorse a candidate in the 5th Congressional District race, backing Quigley. In the published editorial, the paper described the ballot as "filled with impressive and thoughtful candidates" but felt that Quigley "stood above the rest."

The Sun-Times also singled out Feigenholtz, Tom Geoghegan, and Charlie Wheelan as "impressive and thoughtful" candidates. Feigenholtz was called "a passionate expert in health care." Unmentioned was State Rep. John Fritchey who is also widely considered a frontrunner in the race.

Openly gay state Rep. Greg Harris is backing 40th Ward Ald. Patrick O'Connor. An ally of Mayor Richard Daley, O'Connor has reportedly said he hoped the mayor and Emanuel would back him.

During a January 31st candidate forum, many of the Democratic candidates expressed similar views on issues like health care and gay marriage.

"I've been a steadfast and 100% supporter to my friends in the GLBT community. I will continue to do so whether it's marriage equality or ENDA, my support has been unwavering and I always will be unwavering," Fritchey said in response to a question about same-sex marriage during the forum.

Quigley responded, "I support gay marriage." O'Connor did not appear and Feigenholtz did not respond to the question during her remarks.

Matt Reichel, a Green Party candidate, said over the weekend that he supports full marriage equality.

The winner of the crowded primary will be determined on March 3. Then the special election will be held on April 7. The winner there moves to Congress.