Ald. Chris Taliaferro in tight race with community activist C.B. Johnson in 29th Ward
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In the zigzagging 29th Ward, which includes parts of Austin, Galewood and Montclare, Ald. Chris Taliaferro, a former Chicago police sergeant, is seeking a third term in the face of a challenge from community activist C.B. Johnson.
But fresh off an unsuccessful run for a judgeship last year, Taliaferro was forced into a runoff by just a few dozen votes in the Feb. 28 election. With 95% of precincts reporting on election night, Taliaferro led by less than two percentage points, according to unofficial results.
Neither candidate could be reached on election night.
Johnson, who runs a small construction company and the nonprofit Campaign for a Drug Free Westside, was endorsed by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, a previous supporter of Taliaferro’s. During the race, Davis alleged Taliaferro hasn’t been accessible to the community and said Taliaferro’s run for Cook County judge showed he wasn’t dedicated to his role. Taliaferro said he has no intention to run for another office besides alderman.
Johnson has not logged any campaign contributions with the Illinois State Board of Elections, while Taliaferro raised more than $42,000 since March 1, including from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park, AFSCME and several trade union organizations.
The chair of City Council’s Public Safety Committee, Taliaferro pledged to reduce violent crime, citing his experience as a police sergeant as an asset in communicating with officers.
aquig@chicagotribune.com
