“El Gringo” Meddling Spurs Hispanic Revolt
Where’s Zorro when you need him?
Like latter-day Spanish Conquistadors, two white Chicago politicians, Aldermen Dick Mell (33rd) and Ed Burke (14th), have subjugated wide swaths of Hispanic-majority territory, and dictate occupants of political office. The disgraced Hispanic Democratic Organization (HDO) may be history, but slumbering Hispanic voters have shown no inclination to shuck the gringos’ yoke.
But inklings of rebellion have surfaced, with two anti-Gringo candidates running in the 2010 Democratic primary.
In the past, Hispanics have been fractured and fractious. South Side Mexican-Americans jockeyed with North Side Puerto Ricans for dominance. Central and South American Hispanics, and Cubans, sought influence. Conservatives, primarily Mexicans, battled liberals, primarily Puerto Ricans. And the HDO, Mayor Rich Daley’s creation, provided the manpower to elect pro-Daley Hispanic stooges.
“It’s a new era,” said attorney Frank Avila, a prominent Hispanic activist, who contends that ethnic rivalry will be superseded by Hispanic outrage. “We want our share of the pie. We will stop fighting each other. 2010 will be the year of Hispanic independents and independence.”
Here’s a look at developing 2010 contests:
8th County Board District: Roberto Maldonado, Democratic Committeeman in the heavily Puerto Rican North Side 26th Ward, was first elected county commissioner in 1994. He was a loyal cog in the Daley/HDO Machine. When Alderman Billy Ocasio (26th) took a state job, Maldonado exerted his clout to get Daley to choose him for alderman, deemed an upgrade. He expected that his protégé, Xavier Nogueras, would get his county job.
But Mell, known derisively among Hispanics as “Old Gringo,” had other ideas. Despite embarrassment at being the facilitator of son-in-law Rod Blagojevich’s ascent to the Illinois governorship, the wily Mell is still in the game.
After Maldonado’s appointment in July, the Democratic committeemen from the 26th, 31st, 33rd, 35th, 27th and 1st wards met to pick his successor. Maldonado thought he had sufficient weighted-votes, plus the proxy from Secretary of State Jesse White, the 27th Ward committeeman. But Mell showed up with a new White proxy, and his candidate, Ed Reyes, got the backing of committeemen Rey Colon (35th), Joe Berrios (31st), Manny Flores (1st).
Can you smell double-cross?
Reyes won. And Maldonado was apoplectic, as well he should be. Mell tried to defeat Colon in 2003 and 2007 for alderman, sending hundreds of workers into his ward. Yet Colon sided with Mell against Maldonado. Can you smell sell-out?
Maldonado is backing Nogueras in the Feb. 2 primary against Reyes, who has the support of the Mellmen. Also running are Ariel Rosa and Omar Lopez.
My prediction: In the Hispanic community, Maldonado looks like a eunuch. Reyes is the slight favorite. If Nogueras fails to defeat Reyes, expect Old Gringo to send his precinct workers into the 26th Ward to oust Maldonado in 2011.
Remember this: In 2006 Daley chose State Senator Miguel del Valle to replace convicted city clerk Jim Laski. Del Valle’s successor was Willie Delgado, a state representative. Luis Arroyo, a member of Mell’s organization, took Delgado’s job. In 2008, Mell ousted State Representative Rich Bradley, and replaced him with his daughter, Deb Mell. And, in 2010, another Mell toady, Mike Alvarez, was slated for Metropolitan Water Reclamation commissioner.
To be accurate, Old Gringo should now be renamed Old Gloton Gringo – the hoggish foreigner.
Assessor: Instead of rejoicing at the prospect of Board of Review Commissioner Joe Berrios ascending to this powerful post, Hispanics are skeptical. Will he be just another Daley pawn? Seeking revenge, Maldonado has recruited former county judge Ray Figueroa, a onetime 31st Ward alderman, to run against Berrios. Berrios is the 31st Ward committeeman, as well as the county Democratic chairman. Figueroa, elected alderman in 1987 as a Harold Washington supporter, was never a Berrios’ ally. He served one term as alderman, and was elected a judge in 1994, retiring in 2006.
Berrios has $2,607,680 in his campaign accounts. Maldonado has $76,937.
The outlook: Outgoing incumbent Jim Houlihan was a useful cog in the Daley Machine, but Berrios, if elected, will be the primary cog in the pay-to-play Berrios Machine. He will raise millions of dollars from those who benefit from the assessor’s value reductions, and he will be well-positioned to run for mayor in 2011 or 2015 or, at the very least, dictate the Hispanic candidate in a Daley-free election.
Also running are former black Alderman and Board of Review commissioner Bob Shaw and white real estate developer Gene Staples. Andrea Raila, an anti-tax activist associated with Governor Pat Quinn, has apparently withdrawn. Blacks comprise roughly one-third of the Cook County Democratic primary vote.
Berrios will run as an insider, lavishing millions of dollars on Hispanic media ads and paid precinct workers, and relying on white committeemen to deliver. Shaw should get the bulk of the black vote, but Figueroa will have appeal as both a “reformer” and a Washington alderman. The newspapers will endorse Figueroa, and he will a big chunk of the white liberal Lakefront and suburban vote.
My prediction: Against a single foe, Berrios would be in jeopardy. But Shaw and Figueroa will split the black and independent vote. Berrios will win.
23rd House District (Chicago’s Southwest Side, centered around I-55 and Harlem): Dan Burke (D) has been state representative since 1991, and a cipher for the Democratic majority, compiling an utterly undistinguished record. While the area has turned Hispanic – 66.4 percent in the 2000 census, and probably 80 percent-plus in 2009 –
Burke’s DNA makes him impervious and unbeatable.
Burke’s brother is Alderman Ed Burke (14th), whose $4.3 million campaign fund insures that nobody credible runs for any Burke-held job. Burke’s 14th Ward is over 80 percent Hispanic but Burke got 90 percent in 2007 was unopposed in 2003. First appointed in 1968, Ed Burke was elected 1969, and re-elected ten times. At age 66, Burke is the council’s dean and finance committee chairman.
Burke doesn’t beat opposition. He just buys them off.
Rudy Lozano Jr.’s father was a union organizer, political activist and Washington supporter, and he lost a 22nd Ward aldermanic race in 1983; he was murdered shortly thereafter. Lozano is challenging Dan Burke, who had no opposition in the past nine primaries.
As expected, the Burke Machine filed two Hispanic shill candidates: Rene Diaz and Martin Meza-Zavalda. They will divert votes from Lozano.
But, according to insiders, Lozano, age 33, has a two-year gameplan. If he doesn’t beat Dan Burke in 2010, he’ll continue his quest and attempt to oust Alderman Ricardo Munoz (22nd) in 2011. The Lozano name is iconic and revered among Hispanics.
The turnout in the 23rd District, which includes parts of the 14th, 13th, 18th, 15th and 23rd wards, and Stickney, was 8,968 in the 2008 primary, and 7,640 in 2006. It will be around 8,000 in 2010.
Lozano is running an anti-Gringo campaign, and making the Burke Boys the focus. My prediction: Lozano will crest 40 percent. And, by 2015, the 14th Ward will have a Hispanic alderman, and the Burkes will be history.
7th County Board District (Southwest Side, Cicero): Incumbent Joseph Mario Moreno exhibited monumentally poor judgment in supporting Cook County Board president Todd Stroger’s sales tax hike, and then voted both for and against an override of Stroger’s veto. That’s no profile in courage.
Former state senator Jesus Garcia, the 22nd Ward alderman in the 1980s (winning the next election after Lozano’s death), is opposing Moreno. Garcia is a flaming pro-tax liberal, and was a Washington supporter.
But voters’ disgust with Moreno is palpable. My prediction: Moreno is toast. Garcia will win with 60 percent.
12th County Board District (Northwest Side: Ravenswood, Lakeview, Wicker Park): It takes an enormous amount of incompetence to blow a Chicago aldermanic seat, but Ted Matlak proved his mettle in 2007, losing in the 32nd Ward to Scott Waguespak by 122 votes. Now he’s masochistically running against State Representative John Fritchey (D-11) for Forrest Claypool’s county board seat.
Watch the 11th House District. Fritchey’s predecessor was Rod Blagojevich, and Fritchey won the seat in 1996 as part of Mell’s dealmaking to get Blagojevich into Congress. Lisa Madigan ousted longtime political hack Bruce Farley from his state senate seat in 1998. Now Farley’s son, Dan, is running for the House, and is opposed by Ann Williams, a lobbyist and former attorney general staffer for Madigan.
Alderman Gene Schulter (47th) won’t exert himself or his organization for Fritchey unless he endorses Farley, and backing Farley will infuriate many liberals in the 32nd Ward and Wicker Park, where Williams is popular. Whatever his decision, Fritchey will hand a sizeable number of votes to Matlak. My prediction: Slight edge to Farley and Fritchey.
**
Russ Stewart is a regular political analyst for The Chicago Daily Observer
Colon’s backing of Reyes might have something to do with the fact that Eddie Reyes was Colon’s chief of staff, and had done a good job and is very popular in the relatively progressive/liberal 35th ward. People have been trying to get him to run for alderman vs Colon.
Maldonado’s candidate, Nogueras had announced he was going to run for alderman vs. Ocasio. He doesn’t appear to have much of a connection to Maldonado. Maldonado looks like he was eliminating an opponent, kinda like Rey Colon.
I live in the 35th and Reyes was actually not
popular as a chief of staff. His rise through Mell
is not a good thing with progressives. City Clerk
del Valle is supporting Nogueras who is seen as
the Latino progressive in Chicago. This race
is viewed as Mell & Berrios vs del Valle & Maldonado.
I agree with Russ but the backlash against Mell & Berrios
coupled with Nogueras first on the ballot could pull out
a major upset. This is going to be an interesting
race. Good article Russ.
Wow Garcia defeats Moreno. That would be something.
I have to agree that the 8th district race is now
the backroom boys vs progressives. Xavier will
have a tough battle but the revolt could pull an
upset. I from quick research online it seems that
Xavier is known in the community more than Reyes.
Reyes will have Mells troops and that helps.
I think this race is going to be very close.
I think Jesus Garcia is going to win. This is going
to be a huge upset for the southside machine.
Rudy is going to come close but his foes are going
to buy out allot of people. I agree that he can take it
eventually.
I agree with Russ on the northside race
with Reyes a very slight victory. If Jerry above is right
about del Valle, that labels Nogueras as the proggresive
in the race. With del Valle’s support Nogueras might squek it out.
I think there is no real incumbent in this race and ballot position
will give a slight advantage. When will they determine that?
I am not to versed on the Fritchey race. Would like more info.
Russ I Love You – you crazy truth teller!!
“El Gringo” Meddling Spurs Hispanic Revolt.
“Burke doesn’t beat opposition. He just buys them off”
“Old Gringo should now be renamed Old Gloton Gringo – the hoggish foreigner”
“slumbering Hispanic voters have shown no inclination to shuck the gringos’ yoke”
I always look forward to your political analysis and your quotes.
Don’t get me wrong you have missed a few. I thought you were wrong on the Bradley Vs Martinez. I do agree that the Nogueras Vs Reyes is shaping out to be one of those type of races except between to lesser known and will be close. I’m an old 33 ward independent and we don’t like the moves Mell the Old Gringo is making. I hope Jesus Garcia and Xavier Nogueras win, imagine both Hispanic County seats held by independent individuals. I remember Garcia when I was active with the 33rd ward IPO. He is hard to buy out.
Keep up the good work Russ!
Russ,
You’re ignoring Ed Mullen, Deb Leticia Gordils, and myself.
We’re all vying for Fritchey’s open State House seat.
Why do you only mention Dan Farley and Ann Williams?
Thanks,
Scott Tucker
GOP Candidate for Illinois’ 11th State House District
russ: i second scott tucker’s comment. i am a civil rights attorney and community activist with a great deal of community, volunteer and financial support for my candidacy, including several elected officials who will be announcing their endorsements in the next several weeks. in 3 and a half weeks, i collected more than 1500 signatures, mostly through door to door canvassing of regular primary voters and was not even challenged despite having my petitions reviewed by 2 people. i filed my petitions at 8am on the first day possible and received the top ballot position for my efforts. i have an energetic and experienced campaign organization, and having knocked on more than 4000 doors in my district, I can tell you almost no one i have talked to in my district knows who dan farley or ann williams is, but they do know me now. you may want to exclude me from your coverage of the race because i am an outsider, but trust me, i will surprise you and many others. thanks, ed
Thus the comment section…thanks Scott and Ed.
Great piece. However, there were a couple inaccuracies that need some clarification
“He (Maldonado) was a loyal cog in the Daley/HDO Machine,”
Really?
When Alderman Maldonado first ran for County Commissioner in 1994 , he ran as an independent against Marcial Torres, who had the full resources (paid precinct workers and cash) of Dick Mell and the HDO organization.
Mell has on more than one occasion sent paid workers out to take down Maldonado….and he has always failed in his efforts.
Maldonado has always run an independent, plain and simple.
Mell’s history of meddling in the affairs of Northside Latino politics, but his real influence is debatable. For instance, during the 2008 primary, he backed then state rep Rich Bradley against Iris Martinez for the State Senate race in the 20th district. Despite Mell’s efforts, Iris was still able to capture 43% of the vote even within his own ward.
Even Mell’s neighbors can’t stand his meddling in Northside Latino politics.
If Nogueras can pull the same numbers as Martinez in the 33rd Ward, then he should be able to win this race.
As for Rey Colon, I think independent/progressives/Latinos are hoping he will come around and support Xavier Nogueras, or else he will have to contend with a new generation of voters who are tired of “el Gringo” dictating who will represent their interests on both a local and state level. I for one, think Colon will fall back on his principles and endorse Nogueras in the end.
I think that you need to get your facts right: Jesse Juarez is the 1st Ward Committeeman.
Russ,
You write in this weird political language that seems to mean something to you, but as a political science major and a fan of all things political seems to be very odd. I doubt that Mr. Lozano will run an anti-Gringo campaign aimed directly at the Burkes. Issues and values are what voters are concerned with. If a politician accepts money from a company who puts emissions in the air which causes asthma, do you think that is a good politician? I know that Representative Dan Burke accepted money from Midwest Generation, and they have a plant in Little Village, which puts emissions in the air from burning coal in their plant. That is an issue that impacts the health of the public and it is not aimed at Burke, per se, but at values.
Maldonado is running Nogueras to keep his power. It derives from county jobs he’s gotten for his better precinct workers. Its why he spent so much of his time as county commisioner kissing Sroger’s butt.
I don’t think Eddie Reyes is as much a Mell toadie as he’s being portrayed. He worked for Colon in Rey’s second time going against Mell’s candidate Colom. The third time he supported Sotomayor vs. Colon and Colom.
@ Sports Fan
Is there still support for Edwin Reyes from Ald. Mell?
Why would Maldonado undermine a strong Puerto Rican leader like Berrios by running Ray Figueroa against Berrios? If Maldonado is upset with “Old Gringo” then why doesn’t he run someone against Mell as opposed to running a Puerto Rican against a Puerto Rican? Maldonado’s strategy seems ill advised and could backfire on him when he runs for election. The Latino community needs mature and visionary politicians as opposed to revenge seekers!
Russ,
I think you need to subscribe to a newspaper archive online or use a library card because I doubt that Colon would have voted for Reyes in the meeting of committeemen. I think the issue was there was someone who voted through a proxy and the person changed their vote from their previous commitment, perhaps White. The issue, too, was that some committeemen had a more votes, given the amount of their ward in the district. I think that the vote during the meeting was very close.
I am supprised by the last comment about Berrios being visionary. I am Puerto Rican and I dont vote for someone just because they are Puerto Rican. I don’t know much about Figueroa but Berrios is the opposite of what a progressive candidate is. The fact that Berrios would align himself with Mell and let Mell take over our politics is good enough for me to support Figueroa or another candidate. I have been out of the political loop for second but I do remember how Mell tried to destroy Colon & Iris. I also want to thank Russ for exposing this. I hope Nogueras & Garcia do well. I remember Garcia from his work in Little Village. I have run into Nogueras in the past several years and he seems to be very intense about the community. I don’t want to see Mell influencing our community any more than he is! Just my opinion !
Figueroa is really calling the shots in the 26th ward, not Maldonado. Maldonado has no more organization since he can no longer deliver jobs. Their plan to run Nogueras is, as someone said before, a way to eliminate a potential opponent in the upcoming Aldermanic elections.
As an aside, why doesn’t that Nogueras guy show his teeth when he smiles in any of his literature. Its so unnatural to see that one can only assume that he MUST be missing a few.
Fearless is right. Colon did not vote for Reyes. Reboyras and Colon aligned themselves with Maldonado.
Hey “NoRican”
You’re all class! Way to keep the political blog mentally stimulating.
Those of you who think Xavier is progressive, ask yourself why he worked for a Republican in the last general election. I think there’s more to being progressive then wearing an earring in your eyebrow.
My research showed that Nogueras worked for Obama in the past general election. Did the
comment post just get silly! To bad because I thought I was reading some good insights on both sides.
I think Nogueras & Reyes are both fine individuals. Looks like someone is mad because Nogueras is running.
Let democracy work and let the people decide. Either way we need new leaders.
Russ,
Thank you for the motivation! I will door knock that much harder. You failed to mention the Lozano/Garcia collaboration. Also the 22nd Ward is in Rudy’s district. Harlem is too far west; Laramie is the last Street in the Chicago portion of the district. I’m out to prove your prediction wrong in the 23rd district. Dan Burke will need his entire army to match me because I am an entire movement. The end begins with Dan.
¡Hasta La Victoria Siempre!
-ROJ
The Burke people are posting in the comments. It’s good to know that even the Machine, braindead and corrupt as it is, has a sense of humor. It still doesn’t change Dan Burke’s donors. And for someone who knows a who’s who of Illinois, noting that you received thousands of dollars from a person who is prominent, and then not even putting in your disclosure their occupation seems to skirt the campaign finance laws. In the era of the internet, that tactic can only go so far, really.
Just to clarify, I am a politics geek. I am only writing for myself. However, I know that Dan Burke takes money from alcohol manufacturers, and that’s funny in itself. The Board of Elections website is only a click away.
And you need to thank your friends for finding people to run against you. When you are not able to win in a fair manner and cannot intimidate an opponent, divide the Latino vote.
Links about Midwest Generation:
http://illinoissierraclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/sierra-club-and-our-allies-to-sue.html
http://www.chicagoreporter.com/index.php/c/Inside_Stories/d/Toxic_Neighbor
Also, energy produced by Midwest Generation’s coal burning power plants is sold to other electricity providers in different regions or states.
hey Oh Boy. you must have been too busy out doing precinct work for Blagojevich to notice, but there were tv adds for the Republican candidate for Gov in spanish. I wonder who produced those.
With all due respect to Mr. Tucker and Mr. Mullen, Mr. Stewart is writing about the upcoming election. In this election on Feb. 2nd you will not be running against the aforementioned candidates because it is a PRIMARY. If Mr. Stewart was writing this piece before the general election I could see why you would feel slighted. Just a little clarification from 3rd grade government class I thought I should share with you gentlemen. I’m guessing the campaign is going great…
The fact that Mr. Russ overlooked the strong support Alderman Munoz is giving Mr. Lozano is very interesting, how is Mr. Lozano going to run for alderman against his mentor? unless Munoz promised him to step aside and run for Mayor for him to take the seat. Same bs strategy Luis Gutierrez used when he promised his own seat to three people who are still believing him: Maldonado, Munoz and Solis.
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