Waguespack crushes in 32nd Ward

Independent voice gets second term

02/23/2011 1:05 PM

By REBECCA LOMAX
Contributing Reporter

6 Comments - Add Your Comment


32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack gets a hug from supporter Sandy Johnson at his campaign headquarters on Ashland Avenue after winning reelection on Tuesday.
Photos by REBECCA LOMAX/Staff







"We creamed ’em tonight!"

That’s how incumbent alderman Scott Waguespack summed up his win for re-election in the 32nd Ward Tuesday night. Waguespack won two thirds of the vote, soundly defeating his three challengers David Pavlik, Bryan Lynch and Brian Gorman.

Waguespack won his first term as alderman in 2007 in a runoff with then-incumbent Ted Matlak, besting him by a mere 122 votes.

After polls closed Tuesday night and returns began coming in strongly in his favor, campaign staff were hesitant to get too excited too soon. A cake reading “Integrity, Courage, Independence” remained uncut for most of the evening.

Waguespack ran on a record of independence and reform. He was one of five alderman to oppose the parking meter deal and he co-sponsored legislation to make TIFs more transparent. He’s also been pushing for a forensic audit of the city’s books to uncover how money has been spent over the last 20 or so years.

Around 9 p.m., he took the makeshift stage, checking first to see if it would hold his weight, and thanked everyone for reelecting him alderman of “the most independent, thoughtful and progressive ward in the city.”

Speaking to a crowd of more than 100 at his campaign headquarters, a repurposed warehouse space on Ashland Avenue, Waguespack said he looks forward to being a leader to the incoming alderman. He also said he’s looking forward to working a new mayor.

“If you can work with Mayor Daley, you can work with anyone,” Waguespack said.

He thanked the nine unions who supported him, as well.

“They really are the city,” Waguespack said. “They are the people who keep us moving forward.”

In his speech, Waguespack said his priorities for the next four years are improving education and spending Chicagoans’ tax dollars in the wisest way possible.

He vowed to his supporters to spend the next four years, “fighting every minute of every day to do the right thing.”




6 Comments - Add Your Comment



By Todd Farkas from Rvillage
Posted: 02/24/2011 11:31 AM

WooHoo!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JirpMv5G85c


By Fred Fredricksen from Lakeview
Posted: 02/24/2011 11:29 AM

I'm proud to have voted for Scott, he represents exactly how I feel towards the machine's waste and mismanagement. Please stay on as our Alderman for many years to come!


By J Taylor from Bucktown
Posted: 02/24/2011 11:27 AM

I'm glad to have you as my alderman for another term. Looking forward to your continuing fight for transparency, and intelligence in government. Congratulations on your win!


By Austin Milbarge from Bucktown
Posted: 02/24/2011 11:19 AM

Waguespack totally whooped 3 machine-backed candidates. Let that be a message to all those nefarious forces in Chicago who want to "keep it like it was"... And for all you future 32nd ward candidates out there, don't waste your time- Wag is here to stay and so are we.


By joe Lake from Chicago
Posted: 02/24/2011 7:22 AM

Ald. Waguespack won with 66 percent and won all 52 precincts. Joe Lake, Chicago


By TF from Lincoln Square
Posted: 02/24/2011 7:08 AM

The 32nd Ward has spoken. Machine, they're done with you.