* We talked briefly about this guy on Monday. Here’s WMAQ TV’s take…

As the Democratic field for the 2018 gubernatorial election continues to take shape, a little-known candidate from Chicago’s northern suburbs has already thrown his hat in the ring.

Alex Paterakis, a 29-year-old Skokie native, said he decided to run for governor in October as a response to the nation’s increasingly polarized political landscape.

“I was getting sick of how politics were being done, how things were being run, partisan politics being everyone against everyone else with no one actually listening to other people’s opinions,” Paterakis told Ward Room Tuesday.

The political newcomer is campaigning on a progressive platform that includes a minimum wage hike, marijuana legalization, and an agenda to oppose President Donald Trump. Paterakis, who owns a pair of small online retail businesses, hopes his campaign will appeal to middle class Illinoisans.

“I think people are really reflecting the message, which a lot of Democrats have forgotten, which is the middle class,” Paterakis said. “They lost the middle class to Donald Trump.”

Paterakis has just $5,000 in his campaign account, so he makes Ald. Pawar look well-funded.

* From Paterakis’ Facebook page…

* The Question: Caption?

PS: I have a ton of errands to run today, so I’m not sure when I’ll be back. It’ll likely be a very light early afternoon around here, so make the most of what you’ve got.

       

80 Comments - PublicServant - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:34 am: Young Aaron Schock at his high school prom - Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:36 am: Democrats, I can be your Adam Andrzejewski, if you let me. Now excuse me, my Prom date is waiting. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:36 am: “Nah, the flower really adds to the tux… “ - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:37 am: “Stop the bow tie from spinning, I want to take a picture… “ - Saluki - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:38 am: Bruh. You got a lighter? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:39 am: “… and I need like a dozen wallet size… “ - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:39 am: “Dude, no… I’m wearing shorts.., “ - My New Handle - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:40 am: Not sure what bearing his clothes have on his political ideas. Nothing like thoughtful commentary. - Grand Avenue - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:40 am: “Even though I don’t agree with everything Mike Madigan has done in his career, you know he still served the state and I think he’s still trying to protect the worker, which Bruce Rauner is not.” Watch - he’ll be on BossMadigan.com by the end of the month - OkComputer - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:40 am: Welcome to the age of the citizen candidates. It would actually be quite interesting or someone outside the current State and City Dem apparatus to get elevated (probably not going to be this guy). So many Illinois Dems identify with the national party identity but detest the local Dem party identity. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:41 am: @FakeJasonPlummer - whatevs. I own like 3 tuxes and everything #KidsPlay - Jocko - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:42 am: Chuck Cunningham (Ritchie’s brother) comes out of hiding to lead this once proud state. - Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:43 am: “Campaign headquarters? Oh, um, in my parents’ basement.” - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:44 am: “No, dude, the six o’clock shadow looks rad.” - zatoichi - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:47 am: I think I can..I think I can..I think I can.. Doing Jersey Boys at the VFW this Saturday. - Pawn - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:48 am: what a cute puppy. I love the example we have now from Rauner et al, that there is no expertise needed to run government. He and trump have certainly been stellar examples so far of businessmen running government more efficiently and effectively. No thanks. Go work for a real candidate, honey, and get back to us when you know more about government than what you learned in your freshman year PoliSci class. - Slippin' Jimmy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:56 am: Madigan: Look kid, just follow my direction and you’ll be the best Governor Illinois ever had! - Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:57 am: I don’t shave to make me look older. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:58 am: “Now wait a minute! Okay, we may all think this guy’s campaign is a real mistake. That’s true. Think back to when you all were thinking about running. Boon, you had a budget pie chart that looked like a pepperoni pizza, right? And Stork here. Everybody thought that Stork’s idea of ending Higer Ed funding would cause real damage. I myself was so obnoxious the commenters on Capitol Fax would beat me up once a week in caption contests. So this guy’s campaign is a real mistake? Let me tell you the story of another campaign mistake…” - Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:58 am: I borrowed $5k from my parents to run for governor. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 11:59 am: “Ok, now take one without the top hat… “ - Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:00 pm: Make sure you check out the sales in my ebay shops. - AlfondoGonz - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:02 pm: “Paterakis for (”Prom King” crossed out) Governor” - Hamlet's Ghost - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:03 pm: I make David Olsen look old. - Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:08 pm: No my nickname isn’t “cannon fodder”. - Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:10 pm: This is $5k going up against $50 million. - Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:11 pm: Campaign donation cans are being installed at you local gas stations, convenience stores and bars as we speak. - Ahoy! - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:13 pm: Vote for the prom king because… why not? - Colin O'Scopey - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:15 pm: In a new twist, ABC’s “The Bachelor” looks to date the entire state of Illinois, beginning Tuesday at 8:00, 7 central. - Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:15 pm: I think I can split Dick Uihlein away from Rauner. Look, Dick Uihlein and I are business owners with an Internet presence, so we understand how each other think and operate. Now if I could just get him to answer the phone … - EVanstonian - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:18 pm: OW Animal House FTW - Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:21 pm: ===Not sure what bearing his clothes have on his political ideas. Nothing like thoughtful commentary.=== Rich asked for a caption, not commentary. Sheesh - John Rawl - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:25 pm: Take a look at the bottom of his website. http://www.alexpaterakis.com/ Why is Harambe there? - Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:26 pm: Playing off OW: “Alex Paterakis, Rush Chairman. Glad to meet you.” - pool boy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:27 pm: Has anyone seen my prom date? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:28 pm: (Tips cap to - EVanstonian -) “This is my formal announcement… “ - Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:30 pm: –Why is Harambe there?– He designed the website? - NorthsideNoMore - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:30 pm: That guy parked my car last night at Tavern ! - Amalia - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:31 pm: Wrong party, Marmalard - Working Night and Day - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:31 pm: Put me in coach…I’m totally up for this! - Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:32 pm: –Not sure what bearing his clothes have on his political ideas. Nothing like thoughtful commentary.– I hope the day never comes where a Caption Contest here gets reduced to thoughtful commentary. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:33 pm: “Do I get ANY points if it’s not a clip on bow tie?” - Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:34 pm: This is my best picture from prom, do you like it? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:36 pm: “Well, I’m wearing Armani… “ - Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:37 pm: Rich, just wondering: how much does one errand weigh? How many constitute a ‘ton’? Best, ck - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:42 pm: “It’s either run for governor, grad school, or I have to move out of the house… “ - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:45 pm: “Sure, rabbits, the hanky trick, the disappearing milk from the paper funnel, but the ’saw the girl in half’ costs extra… “ - Biker - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:45 pm: Can’t be any worse than Jay Cutler - don the legend - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:51 pm: “What’s that, the Governor might have an open seat and he wants to appoint me!!! Sure I’m interested.” - Grandpa - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:56 pm: I know absolutely nothing about this man, but shouldn’t we be glad that some idealistic younger people are showing interest in this pit called Illinois politics. Again, he is just an example, but lets not snipe him to oblivion until we see what he has got in mind. - IllinoisBoi - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:58 pm: “What qualifications do I have? Well, I picked up the Ardent Ring of Slaying on Level 200 of Final Fantasy. That was AWESOME.” - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 12:59 pm: - Grandpa - It’s a caption contest. If he’s even remotely serious about running or he wants us to even consider him seriously, everyone gets time in the barrel. “My neck is still itchy from the haircut… “ - Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 1:06 pm: Grandpa, what happens here will be a breeze compared to what 1.4% will do to him if he ever gets past the primary election. - MissingG - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 1:17 pm: ALEX PATERAKIS: Good for Pinky-Rings, Good for Illinois - Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 1:20 pm: –It’s a caption contest.– Yeah, this is like level one introductory stuff. If you can’t stand this fairly mild heat, don’t get in the kitchen. Almost getting to the point where Rich will have to put an explanation on these. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 1:23 pm: “I’ve been studying real hard about this governor business, and a shout out to Rep. Ives, her coloring book has been invaluable…” - NorthsideNoMore - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 1:24 pm: “nothing to see here folks move along’ - NorthsideNoMore - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 1:28 pm: 90s throw back question…Why couldn’t he have run against Mike Flannigan ? - A guy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 1:37 pm: Twisting my words while I do a balloon sculpture for you is totally uncool man. - A guy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 1:38 pm: Yeah, I’m sitting on $5K. Tried to keep it to myself, but now they see me coming. - Honeybear - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 1:39 pm: You know a while back I made fun of and mocked a young Republican who was getting out there and trying to do something. I really regret that. Hang in there brother. I’ve read your stuff on FB. Your message is getting out. Don’t lose your drive and determination. I really appreciate you getting out and taking swings at Rauner. Don’t give up. solidarity - A guy - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 1:40 pm: Grandpa….if you happen to be this guy’s grandpa, I’d say you should be more understanding for a man of 45 years of age. - Whatever - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 2:01 pm: I didn’t last long enough to grow much of a playoff beard. - Whah - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 2:16 pm: “Alex, this is your mother, a guy named Mike called, he’d like you to call back.” - downstate commissioner - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 2:27 pm: Whah WINS! - EVanstonian - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 2:36 pm: From his website: “The unlawfulness and disorder as observed in recent Illinois scene have left him deeply upset and this promising young fellow has taken up the baton to clear the mess and address the problems by joining the race for Illinois Governor in 2018.” Which brings me to my caption: “Rather then spend the $5k in my campaign account on a good editor or comms person, I spent it on this sweet tux! Plus check out these cufflinks bro!” - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 2:40 pm: ===Nothing like thoughtful commentary=== Oh, lighten up, Francis. It’s a caption contest. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 2:42 pm: Fearing the entry of Democratic juggernaut Alex Paterakis into the Democratic Governor’s race, Chris Kennedy formally announced today that he has withdrawn, citing his inability to “compete with Paterakis-level muscle” - Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 2:59 pm: A chicken in every pot and legal weed, what more could you want? - Illinoised - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 3:12 pm: “This will give all of you dinosaurs following Capitol Fax something to make fun of.” - Biscuit Head - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 3:25 pm: Hopes to parlay his unsuccessful run for Governor into a successful run for township clerk… - Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 3:44 pm: Well, say what you will, but Sunny Boy already has over 70 comments. So he’s learned something from Trump about free publicity - QCLib - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 4:22 pm: Donors questioned the candidate’s campaign spending when they noticed four kegs at his “announcement bash.” - QCLib - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 4:27 pm: This is literally his facebook profile picture. His linkedin is ADORABLE. - ejpp - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 4:29 pm: No thanks. Go work for a real candidate, honey, and get back to us when you know more about government than what you learned in your freshman year PoliSci class. Really? I see what a fine job our career politicians have done to this state with their vast experience and knowledge. - jerry 101 - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 4:37 pm: I don’t think I have any snarky captions to add, but this is interesting. His facebook page has over 24,000 likes. Rauner has 52,000. Never heard of the guy, but somebody likes him. - Alex Paterakis - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 5:02 pm: Look bro I am on TV…. Yes the bow tie spins. - Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 6:18 pm: “Like the tux look or not, doesn’t matter because it’s gotta be back to Seno by Monday or I have to hit up my date for another $10.” - blue dog dem - Wednesday, Feb 1, 17 @ 10:53 pm: I think I am in love with myself. - Faustian - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 6:24 am: “Has anyone seen my prom date ?” He said he was going to the bathroom and would be right back “ Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.