Angela Clay, Kim Walz Poised To Head Into Runoff In 46th Ward Race To Succeed James Cappleman

UPTOWN — The race for 46th Ward alderperson is down to Angela Clay and Kim Walz in the battle to replace retiring Ald. James Cappleman.

With all precincts reporting Tuesday night, Clay led with 34 percent of the vote while Walz garnered 25 percent of the vote.

Marianne Lalonde finished third place with 17 percent.

With no candidate securing at least 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote earners — Clay and Walz — will square off in April 4 runoff election. The new alderperson will make an annual salary of $142,772.

Clay, a community organizer and Uptown native, said a strong grassroots campaign boosted her into the runoff, where she is ready to draw further differences between her and Walz.

“I am so proud to have the support of so many people who care so deeply about our community,” Clay said in a statement.

Walz said voters endorsed her vision of “moving the ward forward without leaving anyone behind.”

“No one will fight harder for the residents and families of the 46th Ward than I will, and I am thrilled to enter the next stage of this campaign to serve the community I call home,” Walz said in a statement.

Six candidates entered the race to replace Cappleman, who announced he would retire last year after serving since 2011.

Those seeking to replace Cappleman included two candidates who challenged him last election. Lalonde, an environmental scientist, forced Cappleman into a runoff last election and lost by just 25 votes.

Clay, an Uptown native and housing organizer, came in fourth out of six candidates in the 2019 election.

The 46th Ward was one of several open City Council races following a wave of aldermanic retirements and resignations. The ward covers most of Uptown and portions of East Lakeview.

Unions and political bigwigs poured significant funds and political capital into the race.

Clay was endorsed by the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America, the progressive organization that made major strides in the last City Council election.

The Chicago Teachers Union has also endorsed Clay, contributing at least $15,000 to her campaign, public election records show. The political organizer also secured the endorsement of Helen Schiller, the retired, six-term alderperson who proceeded Cappleman.

Walz, a former staffer of Rep. Mike Quigley, saw major donations from North Side politicos.

Quigley gave $12,000 to her campaign. She also received $5,000 from state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, $5,000 from retiring Ald. Tom Tunney’s campaign committee and $5,000 from friends of Bennett Lawson, who is unopposed in his race to replace Tunney. Walz was also endorsed by Gov. JB Pritzker.

Also running in the 46th Ward race were: federal administrative judge Patrick Nagle (12 percent of vote), bartender Roushaunda Williams (7 percent) and real estate agent Michael Cortez (2 percent).

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