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Read the press release here.

Another Ex-Challenger Endorses Hopkins in 2nd Ward Runoff

By Alisa Hauser | March 26, 2015 1:53pm

UKRAINIAN VILLAGE — A community activist and founder of several popular neighborhood Facebook pages who was among six candidates running for 2nd Ward alderman has thrown his weight behind Brian Hopkins in the April 7 runoff, it was announced Thursday.

"I wanted to wait and go to all of the debates before I weighed in officially," said Steve Niketopoulos, who is also president of the Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association, which co-sponsored a debate on Tuesday at Columbus Elementary School, 1003 N. Leavitt St.

Brian Hopkins (DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser)

"I have the most respect in the world for Alyx [Pattison] and Brian [Hopkins] together and got to know them both very well. ... It came down to trying to simplify the issues and figure out what people supported me on the most, and it was my approach to allowing neighbors to have a voice in developments, as well as making sure the neighborhood stays educated on what is going on," Niketopoulos said.

Read Niketopoulos' full endorsement of Hopkins

Earlier this month, two of the crowded race's four other challengers, Bita Buenrostro and Cornell Wilson, also endorsed Hopkins. A sixth former opponent, Stacey Pfingsten, has not endorsed Hopkins or Pattison.

In an announcement on Thursday, Hopkins said, "Going into the final two weeks, momentum is on our side. Our success is measured not only by the number of supporters we earn every day, but also by the strong field of former candidates that have endorsed my campaign."

Steve Niketopoulos (DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser)

Hopkins, who earned 29 percent of the vote on Feb. 24, is also endorsed by U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle.

Pattison, who earned 24 percent of the vote on Feb. 24, is endorsed by the Sun-Times, Tribune, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Ald. Joe Moreno (1st), whose ward borders portions of the 2nd Ward, among others.

In February's election, Niketopoulos got 1,232 votes, which was 12.5 percent overall; though in four East Village and Ukrainian Village precincts, the 36-year-old public television producer garnered an average of 45 percent of the vote.

Watch the question and response that swayed Niketopoulos' decision:

Listen to a recording of the final 2nd Ward debate, March 24; watch video coverage on CAN TV; See if you live in the 2nd Ward. The election is April 7; Find your polling spot.

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