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Key to Marital Happiness? 'Dump Rahm,' Says Wilson Radio Spot

By Ted Cox | January 22, 2015 5:43pm | Updated on January 22, 2015 6:39pm
 Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson is less than committed to his own humorous radio ads.
Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson is less than committed to his own humorous radio ads.
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DNAinfo/Ted Cox

NEW EAST SIDE — A couple fights over red-light tickets until they agree to "dump Rahm and stay together," in a radio ad promoting the mayoral candidacy of Willie Wilson.

In the comical radio spot airing on city stations, a man admits, "I just got a red-light ticket."

"What!?" says a woman, until she admits, "I got one yesterday. I just didn't want to tell you."

"I want a divorce," says the man.

"I want a new mayor," responds the woman, and they go back and forth until she suggests, "Let's just dump Rahm and stay together," to which the man agrees.

When asked about the ad Thursday, Wilson was less than committed to it and credited his campaign backer, former state senator Rickey Hendon, instead.

Hendon has already drawn media attention this week for another ad in which he says, "It's time for an enema in the black community" and urges voters to "go ahead and flush the toilet" and "get rid of these sorry aldermen" who are Mayor Rahm Emanuel's City Council allies.

"He's independent to do what he wants to do," Wilson said after a news conference Thursday at his Wacker Drive penthouse apartment. "He has that right.  I don't try to control anybody else, what they do or say. Rickey is his own person.

"It's not about me," Wilson added. "It's about his own thing."

Still, the ad on red-light cameras with the couple does say it's paid for by Friends of Willie Wilson, his campaign fundraising organization, and Wilson does say he approved it.

In December, according to state campaign finance records, Wilson's campaign paid Ricky Hendon Promotion more than $54,000 for services, including campaign and field work and consulting.

The red-light cameras already have proved to be a campaign issue for fellow mayoral opponents Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) and Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-Chicago).

The mayor's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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