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Eddie Washington bows out of mayoral race - fedupinwaukegan - 02-10-2009
Any word on Margaret Carrasco's petition?
Washington bows out of mayoral race
Flawed petitions scuttle campaign
February 10, 2009
By Nicholas P. Alajakis <!-- e --><a href="mailto:nalajakis@scn1.com">nalajakis@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
WAUKEGAN -- With his mayoral election petitions under fire, state Rep. Eddie Washington announced Monday that he is withdrawing from the race.
In a fax sent to his supporters, Washington said he was formally dissolving his independent campaign. His support is now behind Democrat Sam Cunningham.
» Click to enlarge image
Washington
Washington's withdrawal came on a day he was supposed to appear before the Waukegan Electoral Board to defend a number of discrepancies on his election petitions. The morning meeting was delayed to later this week after Washington's attorney, Michael Melius, requested additional time to review the challenge.
More than 400 of Washington's signatures were being challenged, as was the fact that Washington incorrectly wrote "60th District," instead of mayor, in a space for office sought.
Points of contention on the signatures included 238 signatures from non-registered voters and a number of signatures from people who don't live in Waukegan, said Chris Kennedy, an attorney representing a group of residents who filed the objection.
"There were a lot of people from North Chicago and Gurnee who signed," Kennedy said.
Had Washington not withdrawn, he might have had a difficult time remaining on the ballot. At Monday's electoral board meeting, aldermen Larry TenPas and Tony Figueroa -- who make up two-thirds of the board -- both said they were ready to move forward with a hearing.
TenPas said he thought the discrepancies appeared to be fairly cut and dry.
"Why is he even going forward?" TenPas asked about Washington's petitions.
Washington said he will fully support Cunningham. He had already announced he was supporting Cunningham in the Democratic primary against Jose L. Guzman and incumbent Richard Hyde.
In campaign literature given to some Waukegan residents, Washington urges voters to elect Cunningham the first black mayor of Waukegan. The letter, which was written before he announced his withdrawal, also states that his own independent run for mayor was a backup plan in case Cunningham did not prevail in the Feb. 24 primary.
Washington told the News-Sun he supported Cunningham because they have similar ideas, and they both support bringing more aid and a better voice to low-income residents.
The winner of the Feb. 24 Democratic primary will face Republican Greg Flesher and independent Robert Sabonjian in April's consolidated election.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1421736,5_1_WA10_EDWASH_S1.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article</a><!-- m -->
Re: Eddie Washington bows out of mayoral race - JeffK - 02-10-2009
What petetion? Is that idiot running for Mayor?
Re: Eddie Washington bows out of mayoral race - fintan1010 - 02-10-2009
was he ever a real candidate? this i doubt. i'm not interested in any politican who urges people to vote to "elect the first black mayor of waukegan". let's vote to elect the BEST mayor. voting based on skin color or ethnic backround is narrow minded and short sighted. if people voted against candidate based on those things would we hear them crying racism?
i'll say it again and again, do the research and make an educated decision. vote for the best candidate. all of their interviews are available at the CREW website.
Re: Eddie Washington bows out of mayoral race - Blackdiamond - 02-10-2009
I agree---saying "First Black Mayor" is a turn off. :oops: