CHICAGO
The two Desi candidates for Alderman of Devon’s 50th Ward, Shajan Kuriakose and Zehra Quadri, drew equal percentages in losing out to incumbent Debra Silverstein at the Chicago municipal elections Feb. 26. Both Kuriakose (1384 votes), who received strong endorsements including from Jewish Chicago and Chicago Tribune, and Quadri (1347) polled 18 percent, as against Silverstein’s 64 percent (4909 votes).
A day or two before the elections, “Friends of Zehra Quadri” distributed flyers, in multiple copies, across the 50th Ward. Printed on both sides were purported images of official records to substantiate allegations that Kuriakose is unfit to contest for alderman of 50th Ward. Kuriakose was approached by Desi Talk but has yet to respond publicly to this smear campaign.
Kuriakose told Desi Talk that he was disappointed at the results and that he would be working hard within the community toward the next elections.
Ameya Pawar was reelected alderman of 47th Ward with a resounding 83 percent (9740 votes). As incumbent Rahm Emanuel received only 45 percent of Chicago’s vote for Mayor, he faces Chuy Garcia in the April 7 runoff.