- Credibility:
BRIDGEPORT — With a little over a week before Election Day, two members from one of Chicago’s most powerful political families have thrown their support behind freshman Ald. Nicole Lee (11th).
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley and his brother, Cook County Commissioner John Daley, threw a fundraiser for Lee Feb. 15 at the Zhou B Art Center, 1029 W 35th St., along with several organizations, including the 11th Ward Democratic Committee.
The Daleys are the latest to endorse Lee, who was appointed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to replace Patrick Daley Thompson after he was convicted of tax fraud in February 2022. Daley Thompson is nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley and grandson of former Mayor Richard M. Daley.
Lee’s father, Gene Lee, was a former aide to Richard M. Daley who was convicted of embezzlement in 2014.
The Daleys grew up in the 11th Ward, a longtime base for Chicago politics. Five Chicago mayors hail from the ward: Richard M. Daley, Richard J. Daley, Edward Joseph Kelly, Martin H. Kennelly and Michael A. Bilandic.
Lee was one of 22 aldermanic candidates endorsed by Gov. JB Pritzker last month. The former United Airlines executive who made history becoming Chicago’s first Chinese-American alderperson has also won the backing of the Chicago Federation of Labor, SEIU Illinois State Council and SEIU Local 73.
Lee will be facing challengers Froy Jimenez, Elvira Jimenez, Ambria Taylor, Donald Don, Steve Demitro and Anthony Ciaravino in the Feb. 28 municipal election. While the seven candidates met for the first time at an aldermanic forum last month, it is unclear whether another event will be held before Election Day.
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