Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle endorsed incumbent John Fritchey for 32nd Ward Democratic committeeman Friday in one of the more heated races in the March primary election.
Preckwinkle picked Fritchey, a Cook County commissioner and former state representative, over Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward), her former City Council colleague, in what she called “a hard decision.”
“I’m a Democratic committeeman and there are a couple of committeeman races where there are people I have worked with, and John is one,” Preckwinkle said. “Although I’ve worked with Scott and have a high regard for him, I’m going to support John.”
Fritchey said Preckwinkle’s endorsement has added value because she has worked with both candidates.
“Given that she has had the opportunity to serve alongside me and Ald. Scott Waguespack, her belief that I’m the best choice for 32nd Ward Democratic committeeman and her endorsement of my campaign means a lot to me,” Fritchey said.
Waguespack did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Fritchey helped elect Waguespack to the council in 2007, but they had a falling out shortly after the election. Waguespack has said the feud stems from zoning changes Fritchey wanted him to support, which Fritchey denies.
Fritchey on Friday criticized Waguespack for supporting a new map of ward boundaries proposed by the council’s Latino Caucus. In that map, parts of the 32nd Ward north of Diversey Pkwy. are folded into another ward.
“It makes you question his political motivations and real commitment to these voters,” Fritchey said, adding that he would like to see the ward remain intact.
She obviously needs his support on the County Board. That endorsement probably will not have that much of an impact since the people of the 32nd Ward support and appreciate the dedication of Mr. Waguespack. As long as they are running in the current 32nd Ward boundaries, I believe Scott will easily defeat the other has been, wanna be in March. If it is in new boundaries, I think Scott will still hand the other (self proclaimed power broker) mans behind to him in a hand basket.
32nd Ward Democratic Committeeman John Fritchey’s Idiot Statement of the Week:
“It makes you question his [32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack] political motivations and real commitment to those voters” Fritchey said, adding that he would like to see the ward remain intact.
The 32nd Ward must decrease its population by 9,500 residents during the ward remapping process by law, and thereby lose a large ward territory.
Correction: 9,500 should be 9,800 residents. Joe Lake, Chicago
Ald. Scott Waguespack filed to run for 32nd Ward Democratic Committeeman in the March 20, 2012 primary election. http://scottforchicago.com Joe Lake, Chicago