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Ballot Set In 4th Ward Race As Taylor Drops Out, Challenges Rejected

By Sam Cholke | December 29, 2016 5:12pm
 Jack Taylor (bottom right) has withdrawn from the 4th Ward alderman's race, leaving five candidates for the February election. The candidates for 4th Ward alderman include clockwise from top left Sophia KIng, Ebony Lucas, Marcellus Moore, Jack Taylor (withdrawn), Gerald McCarthy and Gregory Livingston.
Jack Taylor (bottom right) has withdrawn from the 4th Ward alderman's race, leaving five candidates for the February election. The candidates for 4th Ward alderman include clockwise from top left Sophia KIng, Ebony Lucas, Marcellus Moore, Jack Taylor (withdrawn), Gerald McCarthy and Gregory Livingston.
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HYDE PARK — The ballot to replace Will Burns as 4th Ward alderman is down to five after Jack Taylor withdrew from the race, the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners announced.

The remaining candidates, Sophia King, Ebony Lucas, Gregory Livingston, Marcellus Moore Jr. and Gerald Scott McCarthy will all be on the Feb. 28 ballot to select who will fill the remainder of Burns’ term.

Challengers tried to get Livingston, Moore and McCarthy knocked off the ballot by going to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, stating that their nominating petitions were not in order.

On Thursday, the board decided in favor of all three challenged candidates, allowing them to remain in the race, where King seemed to have a leg up.

King has the benefit of being the incumbent because she was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in April to serve as alderman until a special election can be held to allow voters to choose a replacement for Burns.

Burns stepped down in March for a job at Airbnb and has not endorsed any of the candidates.

King has consistently had a fundraising lead over the other four candidates.

With the ballot now set, the race is expected to heat up and show how much of a benefit an incumbency and campaign funding helps in a special election, especially during winter months when it's often difficult to persuade voters to head to the polls.

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