LGBT vote expected to be high in special primary election
Chicago, IL -
Voters in the 5th Congressional District go to the polls today in a special primary election that will the shorten the list of candidates running to fill Rahm Emanuel's congressional that he left after six years to become White House chief of staff.
The 5th district, which leans heavily Democratic, covers most of Chicago's North and Northwest Sides and comprises the majority of the city's LGBT voters.
The race is crowded, with 12 Democrats, 6 Republicans and 5 Green Party candidates. State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) will be going head-to-head for the gay vote with Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley.
Feigenholtz is considered the front-runner for the LGBT vote and 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.
"I'm feeling really good. I think our chances of wining are great," Feigenholtz told the Chicago Daily Herald.
Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley has received endorsement from the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune. In the Sun-Times 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."
State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) is also widely considered a frontrunner in the race.
Political analysts don't anticipate a large turnout.
After today's special primary in the 5th congressional district, the special election will be held on April 7. The winner there moves to Congress.
Candidates on Gay Marriage:
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.
Feigenholtz was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2001 as a "Friend of the Community."
After today's special primary in the 5th congressional district, the special election
will be held on April 7. The winner there moves to Congress.
The 5th district, which leans heavily Democratic, covers most of Chicago's North and Northwest Sides and comprises the majority of the city's LGBT voters.
The race is crowded, with 12 Democrats, 6 Republicans and 5 Green Party candidates. State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) will be going head-to-head for the gay vote with Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley.
Feigenholtz is considered the front-runner for the LGBT vote and 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.
"I'm feeling really good. I think our chances of wining are great," Feigenholtz told the Chicago Daily Herald.
Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley has received endorsement from the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune. In the Sun-Times 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."
State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) is also widely considered a frontrunner in the race.
Political analysts don't anticipate a large turnout.
After today's special primary in the 5th congressional district, the special election will be held on April 7. The winner there moves to Congress.
Candidates on Gay Marriage:
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.
Feigenholtz was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2001 as a "Friend of the Community."
After today's special primary in the 5th congressional district, the special election
will be held on April 7. The winner there moves to Congress.
Details about today's election:
Polls open: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Find your polling place: (City) chicagoelections.com and (Suburbs) voterinfonet.com
Related Information:
Click to viewthe Chicago Tribune's coverage, including candidate biographies
Polls open: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Find your polling place: (City) chicagoelections.com and (Suburbs) voterinfonet.com
Related Information:
Click to viewthe Chicago Tribune's coverage, including candidate biographies
