WEST ROGERS PARK — Ald. Debra Silverstein won the 50th Ward election Tuesday.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, she had 64 percent of the vote to challenger Shajan Kuriakose's 18 percent. Zehra Quadri had 17.6 percent.
Silverstein, who was first elected in 2011, declared victory at a party Tuesday night.
"I'd like to thank the people of the 50th Ward," Silverstein said. "And I'd like to work with them to make the 50th Ward a better place to live, work and raise our families."
Dozens of her supporters came out Tuesday to her reelection party at McKellin's pub in West Rogers Park.
Voters also voiced support at the polls.
"Her plans are good," said Nana Bonsu, 58, outside the Warren Park polling place. He said he appreciated Silverstein's outreach and notices for community meetings.
At the same polling place, supporters for the two challengers — Zehra Quadria and Shajan Kuriakose — were out in force Tuesday night. But their aggressive campaigning triggered the interest of police officers, who were called after some were clearly involved in illegal electioneering at Warren Park.
The campaign supporters stopped and made pitches to voters as they entered the field house to cast the ballot. Some were lined up fewer than 100 feet from the polling place, which is not allowed under election laws.
"Y'all are breaking my 100-feet rule," one election judge told them.
Police arrived soon after.
Cops arrive at Warren Park polling place after rampant electioneering in 50th Ward race. Hard-ass judge all over it.
— Benjamin Woodard (@benjamdub) February 25, 2015Silverstein said she and her office staff would continue to serve 50th Ward residents.
"I'm very grateful," she said. "We've had so many neighborhood improvements" over the past four years.
Her husband, State Sen. Ira Silverstein, was ecstatic about the reelection.
"Within four years, Debra has done a tremendous job of turning this ward around," he said to the gathered crowd at McKellin's. "She’s at this job 24/7."
Check out our full 2015 Aldermanic Election guide for more info on the candidates in this and other ward races.
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