2003 Campaign Roundup

February 9, 2003

Windy City Times

By Tracy Baim

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Perhaps one of the ugliest races in town is taking place in the 46th Ward, where Ald. Helen Shiller faces a rematch from challenger Sandra Reed. Reed supporters have inundated WCT with hateful voice mails, e-mails and faxes, attacking both Shiller and WCT for its coverage of the race. Having covered Chicago politics since 1984, I have to say I have never received such hateful messages from any supporters of any candidate—even the race with Ald. Bernie Hansen and gay challenger Dr. Ron Sable, or the current race of Tunney vs. Ingram, has not generated the kind of anger this race has.

Reed, as committeeman, has only had one gay-related vote, and went with the Democratic Party’s recommended anti-gay candidate during a party slating controversy. But the gay men backing her in the 46th say she is their choice because they are so against Shiller’s approach to the ward and development. Shiller’s supporters, meanwhile, also include many gays in the ward, including those who say she has dozens of important votes on gay and AIDS issues, including just last fall on trans rights.

Whoever wins, it’s doubtful anyone representing the 46th will vote anti-gay. I, for one, will be glad to stop receiving the harassing calls and e-mails from Reed backers. Shiller received a 16 of 16 rating from WCT’s questions, while Reed received a 14 of 16—the slight difference is because she has little lobbying experience on gay or AIDS issues, which related to two of the 16 questions. [Non-incumbents were able to get scores if they had extensive, specific activism on these issues even when they were not elected officials.]

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Copyright Windy City Media Group 2003