S. Samuel
Chicago rapper Rhymefest's run at becoming his city's official alderman ended in defeat last night (April 5) when challenger South Side Alderman Willie Cochran earned 54.6 percent of the votes.
Details of the victory landed online late Tuesday evening.
With 84 percent of precincts in, Cochran had 54.6 percent to 45.4 percent for Smith, a Grammy-winning rap artist. Earlier tonight, Smith’s election night party was underway with hip hop music blasting from large speakers when the candidate arrived. A small group of mostly young people followed his mist green Cadillac. Holding his grandmother on one arm and his wife on the other, Smith said he felt a lot of energy at the polls. “It’s not about me winning or losing, it’s about hope,” Smith said. “Eleven and 12 year old children ask me ‘can you stop the gang banging?’ I say ‘you have to help too.’ ” “People want little things like a quizno’s or subway in the neighborhood. They want somewhere to get a sandwich on 63rd,” he said. (Chicago Tribune)
A Rhymefest rep has already hinted at a possible recount being in place.
Late into the evening, Smith did not comment on the results, and his camp would not concede defeat. “This election will not be decided tonight,” Smith spokeswoman Kitty Kurth said. Kurth said she believes there were voting irregularities at some precincts, and said Smith planned to lay the groundwork late Tuesday for a possible recount. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Prior to the election taking place, Fest stressed the importance of supporting his fellow citizens.
Smith says he hopes to lead a renaissance in a community that’s dotted with empty lots and boarded-up businesses and plagued by unemployment and crime. He says he wants to make it easier for people to invest in the community and expand businesses, which would spur the hiring of local residents. He did not give specifics. (Washington Post)
An alderman is responsible for holding a position in city council.
“Board of Aldermen” is the governing executive or legislative body of many cities and towns in the United States. The term is sometimes used instead of city council, or is used of an executive board independent of the council, or is used of what amounts to an upper house of a bicameral legislature (as it was in New York City until the 20th Century). Its members are called “Alderman” or “Alderwoman” (Wikipedia)
Check out Rhymefest’s “Reunite Chicago” campaign down below:
