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`Plant' allegations sprout in House race [Il-03]
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Race
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| Contributor | COSDem |
| Last Edited | COSDem Jan 27, 2006 07:46pm |
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| Category | News |
| Media | Newspaper - Chicago Tribune |
| News Date | Saturday, January 28, 2006 01:45:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | The only time U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.) ran for office, he cruised to an easy victory amid criticism that his obscure Republican opponent, who didn't bother to campaign, was nothing more than a political plant.
Now a year into office, Lipinski, a one-time political science professor, is gearing up for re-election to the solidly Democratic Southwest Side congressional seat held for 11 terms by his father, William Lipinski. And just like in 2004, allegations of a bogus candidate--set up to help Lipinski win--are flying around the 3rd Congressional District.
"They are afraid of an honest election," said John P. Sullivan, 34, an assistant Cook County state's attorney, and one of two men challenging Lipinski in the March 21 Democratic primary. "People are upset about the way [Lipinski] got elected, and they put someone else on the ballot to split the protest vote."
Sullivan says it's no coincidence that John T. Kelly, the third man in the race, also has an Irish last name, also is named John and is using his middle initial on the ballot.
"[Kelly] may not know he's a plant but if he doesn't, he's the only one," said Sullivan, a gang crimes prosecutor who is making his first run for office.
Both Kelly, a 35-year-old financial planner from Oak Lawn, and Lipinski strongly deny any political shenanigans. Kelly even blasts Lipinski for the way he came to office, chosen as a last-minute general election ballot replacement for his politically powerful father. Kelly said the move was "diabolical." |
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