Alderman Anthony Beale has bowed out of the bid for Democratic Ward Committee leadership in the 9th district. After a sustained challenge from political rival Cleopatra Draper, Beale decided not to run for the Democratic Party post he has occupied since the turn of the millennium. Draper, who twice failed to dislodge Beale from his City Council seat, alleged that Beale hadn't secured the minimum required signatures to be considered for the March primary ballot.
Determined he had fallen short by about 200 signatures, a Chicago Board of Election Commissioners hearing officer delivered a ruling against Beale, having trouble finding enough valid signatures. Escaping a full Board vote set for Friday, Beale withdrew his candidacy on Thursday, effectively pulling the plug on Draper’s objection, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune.
This sudden retreat left the Democratic Committee position vacant in the 9th Ward, which Beale suggested, had lost much of its former influence and that serving in the role had become "more of a pain than anything nowadays." In a statement obtained by CBS Chicago, Beale opined, that the post doesn’t "have any clout" anymore, calling into question the worth of the efforts invested in it.
Hopefuls still eyeing the position have until January 19 to file a declaration of intent with the Chicago Board of Elections for a write-in campaign. In looking for a win, a write-in candidate will need at least 674 votes. Supposing no candidate meets the bar, the Cook County Democratic Party has the prerogative to appoint a replacement, who will then need approval by a Democratic vote in April, CBS Chicago reported.
Despite Beale's exit, Draper has shown no signs of backing down. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, she plans to pursue a write-in candidacy. Draper, also a social work consultant and radio personality, lost to Beale in runs for the alderman seat in both 2019 and the election last year.
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