SAUGANASH — Robert Murphy, a leader of the anti-O'Hare noise group, defeated Patrick Molloy, who was endorsed by Ald. Margaret Laurino (39th), according to unofficial election returns Tuesday night.
Murphy won 55 percent of the vote, with 96 percent of the vote counted, according to elections officials.
Murphy unsuccessfully challenged Laurino in the 2015 aldermanic election, and a victory gives him a base to run against the long-time alderman for a second time in 2019.
The ward includes Sauganash as well as parts of Albany Park, North Park and Mayfair.
Molloy, a spokesman for the Chicago Public Library, replaced Laurino's husband, Randy Barnette, who stepped down as committeeman just as the election got underway.
A member of the Laurino family has controlled the 39th Ward seat on the City Council and the ward's democratic organization since 1965.
There were no candidates on the ballot for the ward's Republican committeeman post, but William "Bill" Miceli ran as an unofficial candidate.
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