At around 7:45 p.m., a round of applause broke through an otherwise quiet Tuesday night at Grand Central.

Michele Smith hadn’t arrived at the Lincoln Park bar yet, but her supporters were already celebrating as the news came that at 61 percent reporting, Smith was at the front of the 43rd Ward aldermanic race with 38 percent of the votes, a 10 point lead over her main competitor, Tim Egan.

As more votes rolled in, those numbers stayed the same. But since neither Smith nor Egan got more than 50 percent of the vote, the two will go head-to-head in a runoff election on April 5 for the alderman’s seat.

Smith — who currently serves as the Democratic Committeeman of the affluent North Side ward — now had a marginal lead in a race that at one point held a dozen competitors; namely Chuck Eastwood, the chief of staff for the ward’s long-time leader Ald. Vi Daley (43rd), second-time candidate Egan and a slew of a other challengers including a restaurant manager, a young teamster rep and a former boxer.

But it wasn’t hard to distinguish Smith from the crowd.

“Michele has taken [her job as committeeman] very seriously,” said Bob Stine, a ward resident and an advisor to Smith’s campaign.

Stine noted that during her tenure in the position, Smith has been effective in holding forums on numerous issues of the day, from the Clark Street development initiative to the pending redevelopment projects at Children’s Memorial Hospital and Lincoln Park Hospital.

“I think that speaks very highly of her,” he said.

Resident Richard Stepanek, 83, said that he was backing Smith, a former federal prosecutor, because he believed she would advocate for senior citizens in the ward.

“She’s really got a heart for the people,” Stepanek said.

While the results of the election were still playing out, Smith was careful not to jinx the win as she met the cheers of the forty or so supporters congregating at the back of the bar.

Instead, she gave praise to Rahm Emanuel, who by that time had already clinched his place as Chicago’s next mayor.

“I really look forward to joining him in our new city council in mid-May to start fixing our city, leading our ward and bringing this wonderful city of Chicago forward,” said Smith.

Tuesday night’s race was Smith’s second shot at the 43rd Ward seat; in 2007 she narrowly lost to Daley in a runoff ballot, as neither contender had initially won over 50 percent of the vote.

And it wouldn’t prove to be her last two-round bout: At a few minutes before 10:00 p.m., the 43rd Ward race was declared a runoff, as, with nearly all votes reported, Smith held 5,172 votes — or 37.6 percent of the ballot — over Egan’s 28.9 percent.

Over at Egan’s campaign party, held at John Barleycorn on West Belden Avenue, supporters were riled up to know that their candidate still had a solid chance.

“Egan has always done charitable work as long as I’ve known him,” said Dennis Grannan, who has known the candidate for more than 15 years. “He’s an honest man.”

He recalled when Egan made his first go at the ward’s aldermanic position in 2007.

“Who ever wins their first election?” shrugged Grannan. “Few.”

Many at the party headquarters said they don’t know Egan personally, but firmly believed in what he stands for.

“Egan seems committed to the high rise community — owners and renters,” said Victor Grazian, another supporter at the evening’s event. “He seems interested in issues like the life safety issues, fire codes imposed on buildings, garbage rebates, and other things.”

These issues were important to him, said Grazian, because not only has he lived in the 43rd Ward for over 17 years, but he also owns a couple of condominiums in the ward.

Egan held the attention of all those in attendance when he took to the podium at the back of the bar.

Content with the turn out of the night, Egan quickly turned all of the attention to his wife, Marlena Miglin. Pointing her out, he called her “his biggest hero,” after just giving birth to twins in addition to working on his campaign.

Egan said he knew from the beginning that it was virtually impossible to break 50 percent, but that doesn’t mean the race is over now.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Egan. “I’m thankful for all the help in the community thus far. I’m proud of everyone’s hard work on the campaign.” He specifically called their work “warrior efforts.”

As he continues the contest against Smith, Egan said, “I look forward to debating the real issues with her, and hope she doesn’t stoop and play gutter politics.”

Egan wouldn’t elaborate specifically, but instead added that “like-minded candidates that are in this election will become part of our consensus, because I know in their hearts they want what’s best for the 43rd Ward.”

Runoff elections for ten aldermanic races will be held on April 5.

---

By Jasper Salvecchio from 43rd Ward
Posted: 03/14/2011 1:49 PM

Little known dish about Timmy: wealthy real estate mogul father-in-law Lee Miglin was murdered in his garage by a gay prostitute, published a book titled "Downtick" based on his experiences in the cocaine- and sex-fueled world of LaSalle Street stockbrokers, founded Irish Brotherhood with unknown links to the Muslim Brotherhood. Anything wrong here? - please post a correction. Thanks

---

By Boyee from Mid-North in Lincoln Park
Posted: 03/09/2011 0:50 AM

Michele Smith will make a much better Alderman than Egan. She attends all community meetings on issues vital to the ward. If Michele Smith gets the same support as the first vote, she will be the new Alderman.

---

By Jay from old town
Posted: 03/03/2011 11:57 AM

Once again "gutter politics" is the path chosen by supporters of Egan. The truth is voter turn out in the last 4 elections while Michele Smith was committeeman averaged 49.7%, while under the previous committeeman it was 48%. (Not even statistically significant.) For the last two primaries, turnout averaged 33.7% under Smith and 22.8% previously for Roth. This stuff is all online and really easy to find and verify, so are Egan's supporters dumb or do they just not care when they lie?

---

By Anonymous from lincoln park
Posted: 02/27/2011 12:18 PM

Smith didn\'t sponsor any forums on Children\'s or Lincoln Park Hospital. And if she had they would have had no meaning. More important, she has done an abysmal job as ward committeeman. We have had one of the lowest turnout percentages in the city in every election since she was elected. That was her job she failed.

---

By myra jost from lincoln park
Posted: 02/27/2011 12:17 PM

Smith didn\'t sponsor any forums on Children\'s or Lincoln Park Hospital. And if she had they would have had no meaning. More important, she has done an abysmal job as ward committeeman. We have had one of the lowest turnout percentages in the city in every election since she was elected. That was her job she failed.

---

By myra jost from lincoln park
Posted: 02/27/2011 12:17 PM

Smith didn't sponsor any forums on Children's or Lincoln Park Hospital. And if she had they would have had no meaning. More important, she has done an abysmal job as ward committeeman. We have had one of the lowest turnout percentages in the city in every election since she was elected. That was her job she failed.

---

By RAL from Lincoln Park
Posted: 02/27/2011 8:53 AM

I didn't vote for either of these candidates in the election, but Egan is definitely the better choice for the runoff.

---

By Jay from old town
Posted: 02/23/2011 9:04 PM

Seems like Egan and his suppoters have already decided to go with gutter politics.

---

By Bob from Lincoln Park
Posted: 02/23/2011 3:36 PM

Vote for Tim Egan!