BEVERLY — Incumbent Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) had an ambitious goal heading into the 2014 municipal election on Tuesday: The freshman alderman wanted to win with 70 percent or more of the vote.
O'Shea learned he'd achieved his goal at 8:15 p.m. at a post-election party at Barraco's Restaurant at 3047 W. 111th St. in Mount Greenwood. With all 57 precincts reporting, O'Shea recieved 72.47 percent of the vote, soundly defeating opponent Anne Schaible.
O'Shea said his re-election is an endorsement of his accomplishments since being elected to represent Beverly, Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood in 2011.
"I wanted it to be a number that said, 'Wow! That's a margin,'" O'Shea said.
Highlights of O'Shea's tenure include arranging for the financial bailout of the Beverly Arts Center and the construction of an indoor ice rink and gymnastics center in Morgan Park.
O'Shea spoke highly of his opponent after the victory. Schaible, a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology for 23 years, finished second to O'Shea in the last election too.
"Anne truly wants to make this neighborhood better. That is evident," O'Shea said. "She's a good person."
Schaible gathered just a few hundred feet away with supporters at her campaign office at 3135 W. 111th St. in Mount Greenwood. An emotional Schaible said she called O'Shea at 8:30 p.m. to concede the election.
The challenger said she wasn't going to make an official statement on the election.
Check out our full 2015 Aldermanic Election guide for more info on the candidates in this and other ward races.
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