Hopkins, Pattison to square off for open seat in 2nd Ward

It was a dismal night for 2nd Ward Ald. Robert Fioretti, who finished fourth in a five-way race for mayor.

But for Brian Hopkins — former chief of staff to Cook County Commissioner John Daley — and Alyx Pattison — who spent 10 years as a lawyer at the Katten Muchin firm where former Mayor Richard M. Daley is now of counsel — the newly remapped 2nd Ward was golden.

With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Hopkins and Pattison outdistanced four other candidates en route to an April 7 runoff for the open seat. Hopkins led Pattison 29 percent to 24 percent.

Hopkins has notched endorsements not only from John Daley but from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Sheriff Tom Dart. ”I was the first candidate to enter this race back at the time people thought I would be running against Bob Fioretti,” Hopkins said. “I had a head start on the field. My message resonated one-on-one.”

A former aide to U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Pattison touts her experience in the public and private sectors. “Unlike my opponent, I haven’t groomed myself for this my whole life,” she said. “But I’m no stranger [to politics], either.”

The remapped 2nd Ward horseshoes through parts of Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park and Bucktown.