MCKINLEY PARK — Two Southwest Side residents have teamed up to challenge the nominating petitions of aldermanic candidate Pete DeMay.
Arnulfo Salazar, of Little Village, and Karen Rodriguez-Ortiz, of Brighton Park, filed objections with the city's election board last week, alleging a long list of reasons why the 2,100-some signatures gathered by DeMay are invalid.
The objection document was filed by prominent election attorney Jim Nally.
The document lists a total of 24 allegations, including forged signatures, signatures collected from residents outside the ward, failure to properly notarize the petitions, repeat signatures and more.
All of the counts more or less boil down to this paragraph, buried within the 21st count: "The Nomination Papers contain numerous sheets circulated by individuals whose sheets demonstrate a pattern of fraud and disregard of the election code to such a degree that every sheet circulated by said individuals is invalid, and should be invalidated to Protect the integrity of the electoral process."
DeMay categorically denied all of those allegations, calling the objections a classic Chicago-style political tactic to keep challengers off the ballot.
"I think it's all utter nonsense. We collected our signatures in compliance with the law and with the utmost integrity. It's legal gamesmanship to make us spend money," he said, adding that his campaign will now have to hire an attorney to fight the ballot challenge.
An initial hearing is set for Wednesday.
Ultimately, a hearing officer from the Chicago Officers Electoral Board will make a recommendation on whether a candidate can remain on the ballot.
DeMay, a McKinley Park resident and union organizer for Latino workers, is the sole candidate taking on incumbent Ald. George Cardenas, who's seeking his fourth term.
He's been an outspoken critic of Cardenas, blasting him for his supporting votes on everything from former Mayor Richard M. Daley's ill-fated parking meter privatization deal to current Mayor Rahm Emanuel's support for the installation of speed cameras on city streets.
Cardenas "would rather use these legal games and shenanigans rather than have a debate about the future of the 12th Ward. I think this is a guy who runs from tough decisions and tough fights," DeMay said.
Neither Salazar or Rodriguez could be reached for comment.
Cardenas said he knows Salazar, who volunteered at a recent ward event, but neither he nor Rodriguez had ever been paid by the campaign or donated to it.
On Monday, a local progressive group is hosting a candidate forum at the McKinley Park branch of the Chicago Public Library.
Cardenas said he won't attend the forum because "Mr. DeMay of course has to get on the ballot before there can be any kind of debate."
DeMay said he'll be waiting until whenever the veteran alderman is ready.
"I'm ready to debate the guy anytime, anywhere and in either of the languages we're both familiar with," he said.
The city's municipal election is set for Feb. 24.
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