Welcome to the 2010 Windy City Times General Election Guide.
Although a lot of local residents are already looking at the mayoral and aldermanic races ( which will not be voted on until Feb. 22, 2011 ) , there are plenty of races being voted on Nov. 2, 2010, that will have implications around the county, state and nation.
For example, the senatorial race between Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, Republican Mark Kirk and Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones could play a role in what federal legislation is eventually approved or rejected. ( An interesting side note is that voters will actually pick between the three for two seats: a replacement for the remaining weeks of the original term ( a seat currently occupied by Roland Burris ) and a new senator to begin a full six-year term Jan. 3, 2011.
Also, you would have to be on another planet to not know of the gubernatorial race between Democrat Pat Quinn and Republican Bill Brady, but are running neck and neck. And do not forget independent candidate Scott Lee Cohen, who has some very interesting things to say about issues ranging from bullying to marriage equality.
There are also several intriguing U.S. House races throughout the state, including Debbie Halvorson/Adam Kinzinger, Bill Foster/Randall Hultgren/Daniel Kairis, Jan Schakowsky/Joel Pollak/Simon Ribeiro, Melissa Bean/Joe Walsh/Bill Scheurer and Dan Seals/Robert Dold.
County races are plentiful. Toni Preckwinkle, Roger Keats and Thomas Tresser are battling it out in the Cook County board president race, and Democrat Joseph Berrios is involved in a very interesting contest with independent Forrest Claypool. Also, all of the commissioners' seats are up for grabs. ( We talk with 10th District candidates Wes Fowler and Bridget Gainer; their interviews are in this issue. )
Oh, but that's not all, as there are sundry judicial races. In addition, supreme, appellate and Cook County judges are up for retention—with many LGBT individuals advocating that Susan McDunn ( who has an anti-gay past ) not be retained, as evidenced by Tom Chiola's letter on page 17. ( Our interview with lesbian judge Sheryl Pethers is in this week's issue. )
Online, WCT has some interesting articles, including an interview with Republican state comptroller candidate Judy Baar Topinka; our guide to the lesbian and gay candidates in the general election; and a segment on candidates' responses to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's surveys. There is also a piece on an out member of Gov. Pat Quinn's staff, Austin Baidas.
And, as always, we have our political charts that show recommendations and endorsements from various organizations and associations as well as candidates' scores on our questionnaire.
Lastly, please do not forget to vote; everyone's voice deserves to be heard. And keep in mind that Windy City Times' special election section is designed to be taken into the voting booth.
ALSO IN LAST WEEK'S PART I OF THIS SPECIAL SECTION:
ELECTIONS '10: Windy City Times' General Election Guide www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=29128
ELECTION: Guide to the gays - The Nov. 2 general elections feature several openly gay and lesbian candidates for office. www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=29129
ELECTIONS '10: printable charts - Windy City Times' General Election Issue includes interviews and printable charts www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=29130
ELECTIONS '10: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Sheila Simon on her office and equality www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=29131
ELECTIONS '10: GOVERNOR Scott Lee Cohen on LGBTs, comeback www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=29133
ELECTIONS '10: Readers weigh in through letters www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=29134
ELECTIONS '10: VIEWS Bill Brady http:// www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=29140
ELECTIONS '10: VIEWS Don't tread on LGBT voters? www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php
