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* Leave it to the inimitable Mark Brown to write a thoughtful column which goes beyond the “ZOMG! Commies are taking over Chicago!” narrative…
There’s never been a Chicago politician who quite fits the profile of Andre Vasquez, the former battle rapper and current democratic socialist who just took down veteran 40th Ward Ald. Patrick O’Connor, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s city council floor leader.
That probably scares some people.
But those folks might want to nod to the wisdom of the 54 percent of voters in the North Side ward who waded through an onslaught of attack ads and concluded they have nothing to fear from the 39-year-old AT&T account manager, his music or his politics.
I stopped by Vasquez’s campaign office to satisfy my own curiosity about this new breed of aldermen. Vasquez will be part of a Chicago City Council bloc of at least five, probably six democratic socialists who, if nothing else, will alter the debate on a range of issues. […]
“I think even within democratic socialism there’s such a spectrum of different folks, right? I tend to be a counterbalance to some of the louder stuff, the louder hardcore, what some would view as extreme,” said Vasquez, noting that he sometimes takes flak within democratic socialist circles because he’s never read Marx and doesn’t “bleed rose red.”
“Everyone’s got their part to play,” he said. “Somebody’s going to be the loud one in the room because you need that kind of impetus to move things forward. And someone’s got to be the one who’s making deals on legislation. You can’t have ideological fights and think you’re going to come up with solutions.”
The thing that separates Brown from a lot of other political columnists is he is still a reporter at heart. He does the legwork you won’t see from some others. Anyway, go read the whole thing.
* Related…
* Rodriguez-Sanchez, Cappleman, Hairston lead in close races
* Luis Gutierrez Says Rahm Promised To Give Daughter 30th Ward Seat Last Summer — But When She Said No, Things Got Ugly
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 1:20 pm
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On Gutierrez, was this the price he asked to support Rahm in the 2015 re-election?
Comment by Urban Girl Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 1:30 pm
“what some would view as extreme”
Like wanting to tear down capitalism, which is infantile and would be comically misguided if so many people didn’t get hurt and killed, in history. Like Lennon said, count me out with the communists. Count me in with those who want to blend capitalism and socialism, to make a first world country.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 1:37 pm
It’d be great if the new ownership of the Sun-Times could restore some of the space they took from Brown (unless he wanted the work reduction, but I doubt it).
Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 1:40 pm
I live in the 40th Ward. O’Connor did nothing before the run-off (which mirrors his constituent services), then once in against AV, the money flowed in and he barraged everyone with mailers and TV ads. No door-to-door, and nothing to run on, but the developers liked up and the unions as well (I’m sorry to say).
His signs far outnumbered Andre’s, but I think two things sunk him.
1. He’s a TERRIBLE alderman, unless you are building things or need a business connection. No services otherwise, and no attention to detail.
2. Andre worked his butt off and showed that he wants to represent the people in the ward broadly and deeply, and not just the money.
Comment by Blue Bayou Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 1:40 pm
Sorry, I don’t want to subscribe to Everyblock. Can someone please tell me what Gutierrez’ daughter said “no” to?
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 1:45 pm
Sounds like Gutierrez suffers from the Rauner disease of having imaginary conversations in which people say absurd things they would never actually say.
Comment by Leslie K Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 1:48 pm
Kass could learn a lot from Mark Brown.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 1:54 pm
= Kass could learn a lot from Mark Brown. =
Exactly my reaction. As Rich indicated, Brown is a serious, diligent, hardworking journalist.
Comment by Linus Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 2:08 pm
Blue Bayou sounds like he’s fronting. I subscribe to Ald. O’Connor’s newsletter even though I don’t live anywhere near there any longer because I like seeing how a good public servant reaches out to his constituents. I never lived in the ward but know lots of people there. (I also subscribe to emails of other elected officials) O’Connor not only sends frequent communications, but practically in real time as events happen, like shootings. There’s events available to all and reports on progress for things like a theatre that is looking for space, encouraging involvement. Alderman Beale is quoted in the Sun Times recently as saying how Pat will be missed by colleagues who value his ability to get people to work together. Check out Brian Hopkins for another alderman who knows how to reach out.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 2:14 pm
Vazquez will be a one termer unless he is nothing like Ramirez Rosa. The 40th won’t put up with stuff like that.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 2:20 pm
@ 47th Ward. According to the article she said “no” to an appointment to the 30th Ward aldermanic seat. Accordingr to her father, Reboryras would be moved to the Aviation Department to make room for Jessica Gutierrez , but Jessica Gutierrez wanted to win the seat for herself. Apparently things got ugly in part because even though Jessica Gutierrez didn’t vote for and didn’t support Emanuel and even though Reboyras was very loyal to Emanuel, Luis Gutierrez thought that Emanuel should have stayed neutral in the race. Weird.
Comment by Bourbon Street Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 2:24 pm
=Check out Brian Hopkins for another alderman who knows how to reach out.=
The same Brian Hopkins who wants to ram the Lincoln Yards TIF down the city’s throat without giving the mayor-elect any say?
Comment by A Non E. Moose Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 2:45 pm
The turnout was up by 4000 from 2015. Of that 75 percent or more were the young people. I saw it up close all day last tues.
Comment by Regular democrat Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 3:11 pm
Brown is no Kassamoron — which is a blessing. Isn’t the real question whether AV can get me a trash can and/or parking permit?
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 3:13 pm
O’Connor has run a complacent organization for years. He provided good constituent services, but was practically invisible within the community. He stopped attending local events and had an arms length relationship with voters. It made it easier for Vasquez’s campaign to spin tales about O’Connor’s politically pedigree and to make ageist remarks (O’Connor looks considerably older than sixty-four). O’Connor tried to reinvent himself as a progressive leftist and bombarded voters with almost forty letters and postcards. It backfired and probably angered people who tired of the junk mail.
Vasquez may be a one term alderman unless he comes up with some actual ideas and accomplishments. His campaign was totally generic.
Comment by Practical Politics Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 3:28 pm
Vasquez knocked every door in the ward twice. It’s hard to characterize someone as an a-hole after they’ve already come and spoken with you and they seemed like a nice guy. I’d bet on O’Connor having some faulty (or non-existent) polling before the first round, or they actually preferred Vasquez as an opponent due to the oppo they had and thought they’d squeak out a win.
Comment by TopHatMonocle Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 3:28 pm
not saying I would agree with Hopkins on Lincoln yards. but he does do great outreach and the ward is shaped so weirdly that it is difficult to understand what neighborhood he represents. he does a ward survey that others want to emulate.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 3:32 pm
–He provided good constituent services, but was practically invisible within the community.==
Sounds like a perfect politician to me.
You sure that’s why he lost?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 3:42 pm
Thanks Bourbon Street.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 4:21 pm
= Kass could learn a lot from Mark Brown =
I think this whenever Kass writes about Springfield. He’s done zero actual reporting since sometime in the late 90’s and it shows (i.e., plenty of dated Jimmy DeLeo references and lazy “Madigan-runs-everything” cliches.) When Brown covers state politics, it’s clear he takes the time to practice some actual journalism — like take the time to call some key players who might know what the heck is going on.
Comment by Roman Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 4:53 pm
Everyone should read Marx, regardless of ideological affiliation. Especially those who have to approve budgets. (Adam Smith is also going to be useful to the alderman.)
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 8, 19 @ 8:16 pm