* A Thanksgiving Day email (received about 1 o’clock in the morning) from Cary Capparelli, the son of former Democratic Rep. Ralph Capparelli who is running against appointed Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont) as a Democrat…

Rich:

Quick Update on my filing (or not filing yet):

My signatures have been complete for some time (1,462 of them) but some unfortunate circumstances kept me from filing.

First, a doctor’s appointment got switched around and wiped out Monday and Tuesday. So, we can blame the doc for cancelling. I did not want to wait til late January to reschedule and comfortable I can stand a challenge should that be necessary.

So, the plan was to file today but I had a double blowout (both fronts) and a bent rim on my car just outside Pontiac (I-55 is loaded with large pot holes). I waited four hours for a tow to Bloomington to get fixed and by that time it was too wait to file in Springfield.

Call it bad luck or whatever but now the plan is Monday.

He filed at 8:14 this morning.

* Text message exchange today with Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago)…

Delia: Good morning. On my way to Springfield with Nidia Carranza the teacher I’m supporting to replace [former Rep. Luis] Arroyo. It’s a new day in northwest side Chicago politics. We collected over 1500 signatures.

Jessica Gutierrez who ran against Reboyras for alderman is driving us. Young Latinas are building a new political movement in the northwest side and I’m helping build it. Feel free to share that and quote me lol

Me: hope the car is in sound condition!

Delia: Lol

Me: hey. stuff happens.

Delia: I know but don’t speak it into existence!

Me: sorry

* An hour later…

Delia: Lol. We made it!

Me: text me when she turns them in

* Two hours later…

Me: file yet?

Delia: No. On our way to board of elections. We had stopped for lunch.

Me: lol. tempting fate?

That was an hour ago. She hasn’t yet filed. I’ll keep you posted.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Carranza filed at 3:37 pm. They were waiting to see if anyone else filed. There are four candidates in the race. Appointed Rep. Eva Dina Delgado, Dave Feller, Joaquin Vazquez and Carranza.

*** UPDATE 2 *** I was wondering if a, shall we say, more mainstream Democratic candidate to run against GOP Rep. Brad Stephens would surface. From a press release…

Chicago firefighter and paramedic Michelle Darbro, D-Chicago, will offer northwest side residents an alternative to dynasty politics as a candidate for state representative in the 20th House District, announcing her campaign Monday.

“I’m not a politician and I’m not from a political family dynasty, but as a firefighter I do know that service means putting others first, and I think that’s what we need in Springfield,” Darbro said. “There’s too much at stake for our families to sit back and let politicians continue prioritizing their political parties, padding their taxpayer-funded paychecks, and cutting deals that only serve their family members and insider allies, so I’m going to hold appointed Representative Stephens accountable for his record. I’m also going to be clear with people about my priorities – from the needs of our first responders, to easing the burden on property taxpayers, to making health care more affordable – because I know that we owe our strong communities to strong middle-class families, not political dynasties.”

An active-duty member of the Chicago Fire Department and member of Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2, Darbro was inspired to serve others by her father, who volunteered for the United States Army and worked as a communications de-coder during the Vietnam War. Darbro graduated from the University of Chicago and was inducted into the school’s sports hall of fame as a three-sport athlete soon after. She and her wife Erika live in Chicago’s 41st Ward.

Darbro filed petitions to run for state representative Monday, after collecting the maximum number of signatures from local residents. The 20th House District is home to nearly 1,000 members of Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2, while another 500 members of Associated Firefighters of Illinois live in the suburban communities in the district.