Four people could end up on the ballot next year to represent Chicago’s 46th Ward on the Far North Side, as incumbent Angela Clay faces a trio of challengers looking to unseat her after just one term in office. The lineup includes independent candidate Abdallah J. Alkodah, along with Onita Patricias Ann Mack and Nicole A. Edelman, who is also trying to knock Clay off the ballot entirely.
Clay is running for reelection after her first term representing Uptown, Edgewater and Rogers Park on the City Council, according to Block Club Chicago. She launched her reelection campaign on October 5, telling supporters she was running for a second term because “there’s still so much to be done.” Clay has already picked up an endorsement from the Chicago chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America ahead of the February vote.
A Petition Fight Could Shake Up the Field
Edelman is challenging Clay’s petition signatures in an attempt to remove her from the ballot altogether, per the Chicago Board of Elections. The board’s petition-filing page allows residents to request copies of candidate petitions and review filing reports, though it does not spell out the specific grounds or timeline for how Clay’s challenge will be resolved, according to the Chicago Board of Elections.
Clay’s is not an isolated case this cycle. Petition challenges are also underway for Alds. Monique Scott in the 24th Ward and Emma Mitts in the 37th Ward, among other City Council members, according to NBC Chicago. The station notes the citywide election is set for February 23, with an April 6 runoff if no candidate wins a majority outright.
An EMT Making a Second Run at Office
Alkodah announced his 46th Ward candidacy on October 20 and is running as an independent. He works as an EMT and first responder, the same Block Club Chicago report notes. This isn’t his first time navigating Chicago’s signature-heavy ballot process — he previously collected petition signatures for an independent run for the 13th Illinois House District, only to have those signatures challenged. He did not ultimately appear on that ballot, the Board of Elections told the outlet, though the available record doesn’t say the challenge itself was the cause.
Mack rounds out the field as another declared challenger to Clay, though the reporting notes she appears to lack a campaign website so far. Edelman, who is simultaneously pursuing her petition challenge against Clay, also appears to lack one.
Clay’s Path From Fourth Place to Incumbent
Clay’s own history in the ward offers a reminder that early standings can shift. She first ran for 46th Ward alderman in 2019 and came in fourth place, according to the same Block Club Chicago account. She returned four years later and was elected to the City Council in 2023 after defeating Kim Walz in a runoff, replacing James Cappleman, who retired after three terms representing the ward.
With four names potentially in contention and at least one petition fight still pending, the shape of the 46th Ward field remains unsettled heading into the new year. Residents looking to track the filings themselves can consult the Board of Elections’ petition records as the February election date approaches.
