Thread: IL-Immigration reform leader to challenge Lipinski

Immigration reform leader to challenge Lipinski
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November 3, 2009

Berwyn Democrat and immigration reform leader Jorge Mujica filed Monday in a bid to unseat three-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-3rd, of Western Springs in the Feb. 2 primary.

Lipinski held firm against three challengers with a combined war chest of more than $1 million who attempted to win the party's nomination in 2008.

Mujica's campaign Web site pledges to mobilize more than 75,000 immigrants registered to vote against "an anti-immigrant congressman."

"Si, Se Puede" (Yes, We Can) Mujica said on the site with the help of organization to rally for change with access to health care, free unionization, decent housing, education, just wages and the right to legal work and family.

Chicago Republican Michael Bendas and Green Party candidate Laurel Lambert Schmidt of Riverside are unopposed in their respective primaries and will face the Democratic nominee next November. The 3rd District includes La Grange, LaGrange Park, Western Springs, Indian Head Park and the Cook County section of Burr Ridge.

State Rep. Jim Durkin, R-82nd, of Western Springs faces a challenge Democrat Matthew Mostowik of Darien, a member of the Darien Elementary District 61 School Board.

In the 21st District, incumbent Michael Zalewski of Chicago is attempting to hold onto his House seat after being named the Democrats' candidate in late 2008 to replace Bob Molaro, who stepped down to accept a judicial appointment to the Cook County Circuit Court.

Zalewski, son of 23rd Ward Ald. Michael Zalewski, faces Terrence Collins of Chicago in the primary. The winner will square off against Republican Jeffrey Malinowski of Chicago, who ran unsuccessfully against Zalewski in 2008. The 21st District includes the eastern portion of La Grange and stretches east and south to Chicago's Midway Airport.

Another candidate has thrown hit his hat into the race for the 41st District.

Oak Brook resident Michael Manzo filed for the Republican primary Monday. He joins LaGrange Park resident Matt Burden and Elmhurst residents Rafael Rivadeneira, Chris Nybo and Brien Sheahan in the GOP race.

LaGrange Park resident Brian Stephenson is the only Democratic candidate running.

Republican Bob Biggins currently represents the 41st District and announced earlier this year he will not seek re-election.

Nybo represents the 5th Ward on the Elmhurst City Council. He also has served as an Elmhurst Fire and Police Commissioner and on the DuPage County Zoning Board.

Sheahan has been an elected member of the DuPage County Board since 2002 and has a long history of volunteering for many Republican campaigns, as well as organizations such as the DuPage County Young Republicans.

Rivadeneira also has volunteered for national and local campaigns and eventually moved into his current role as a commissioner on the DuPage County Regional Planning Commission. He is also president of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois.

Burden serves as senior director at the Shedd Aquarium and the Army veteran also authored the book The Blog of War, which was the basis for the HBO movie, "Taking Chance."

Stephenson is president for a teen acting group in the LaGrange and LaGrange Park area and also helps run two local theater groups for children.

Manzo serves as chief of staff for Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica. He also served as School Board president for the Proviso High School District and is a longtime community activist.

Peter Roskam of Wheaton is the only Republican candidate running for the 6th Congressional District. Benjamin Lowe of Wheaton is the Democratic challenger.

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lagrange/ne ... s1.article

Berwyn Democrat and immigration reform leader Jorge Mujica filed Monday in a bid to unseat three-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-3rd, of Western Springs in the Feb. 2 primary.

That's funny. Mujica??? ROFLMAO!!!