Let the next campaign begin: First filings for mayor, aldermen

The first day of candidate filings had incumbents and newcomers lined up early to get in their petitions for the February municipal elections.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has for reelection about 43,000 signatures — about half the number he turned in during his first bid for the office.

Two others also filed for mayor, with at least four others who have expressed their intentions on running.

Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) as well as Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia are among those who have announced their candidacies.

A mayoral candidate needs 12,500 signatures to get on the ballot.

Patrick Daley Thompson, the nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, filed in the 11th, a post long-held by Bridgeport Ald. Jim Balcer, who announced earlier this year he would not seek reelection.

The most contested post so far appears to be the 7th Ward, the aldermanic seat once belonging to Sandi Jackson. Seven people have filed petitions so far, including Keiana Barrett, Sandi Jackson’s former chief of staff.

Sandi Jackson and her husband, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., were together charged in a scheme to bilk the congressman’s campaign account. Sandi Jackson is awaiting her husband’s release from prison so she can serve out her one-year sentence. Following her conviction, Emanuel appointed Natashia Holmes, who has filed for reelection.

All 50 aldermanic spots, the office of mayor, city treasurer and city clerk are on the Feb. 24 ballot.

Emanuel campaign spokesman Steve Mayberry said it wasn’t unusual for an incumbent mayor to file fewer signatures and said the campaign had targeted the mid-40,000s.

“Signatures were gathered from registered voters in each of the city’s 50 wards and include residents who support the Mayor’s efforts on behalf of all Chicagoans over the past three-and-a-half years — from the investments he’s made in city infrastructure, to his focus on expanding pre-K and extending the school day, to his effort to increase the minimum wage,” Mayberry said in a statement.

Fioretti had not yet formally filed but intends to do so before the week-long deadline expires.

As far as signatures, Fioretti spokesman Michael Kolenc said: “I will say that we passed the 43,000 mark many weeks ago.”

Here is the unofficial listing so far today. Filings are often subjected to petition challenges. Candidate filing