WICKER PARK — Ald. Joe Moreno appears to have been narrowly re-elected to the 1st Ward Committeeman post, holding a 211-vote lead over challenger Maria Teresa Gonzalez.
With 98 percent of precincts reporting results, Moreno had 6,343 votes to 6,132 for Gonzalez.
That's a 50.85 percent to 49.15 percent showdown, according to unofficial results from the Illinois Board of Elections.
View a summary of all of Tuesday's primary election unofficial results.
The tight race comes after weeks of ugly insults between the candidates expressed to voters through campaign mailers.
In one mailer, Gonzalez was painted as a "wealthy and powerful," "globetrotting" attorney. Moreno told DNAinfo Chicago that he did not know the origin of the mailer, which was sent by "Concerned Citizens of Logan Square," a group that is not officially registered as a political action committee, according to a search of the Illinois State Board of Elections database.
In another mailer, Gonzalez accused Moreno of being a bully for allegedly calling a former staffer a "stupid b----" in a text message.
Moreno won his first term as committeeman for his ward in 2012, commanding 58 percent of the 3,292 ballots cast after facing incumbent Jesse Ruben Juarez and Anne Shaw.
Committeemen — one each for the Democratic and Republican parties — slate candidates, oversee voter registration, work to boost voter turnout and ensure elections run smoothly. In many wards, the alderman — or his or her close ally — serves as the committeeman to consolidate power and operations.
The unpaid position has a four-year term.
Gonzalez and Moreno were not available for comment early Wednesday.
At one polling spot on Tuesday, Gonzalez took offense to a construction barrier with Moreno's name on it near an entrance to a polling place, according to a Facebook update.
"Sighted in a polling place. My opponent electioneering just feet away from the entrance. If you see anything like this please report it to election central: 312-269-7870," Gonzalez posted.
A barrier with Proco Joe Moreno's name on it within inches of a polling spot door. [Maria Teresa Gonzalez/Facebook]
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
