Bob Remer's fragile coalition

After 48th Ward Democratic Committeeman Martin Tuchow went to jail, prior to the 1984 primary election, three political factions joined forces to elect a new Committeeman.

Activists loyal to Mayor Harold Washington, Cook County State’s Attorney Rich Daley, and Alderman Marion Volini united and elected Bob Remer, former President of the Edgewater Community Council, to the party post.

But the new organization did not view him as its leader. Most were loyal to Washington, Daley, or Volini and did what they thought was best for their own factions. And their interests were not always aligned.

Although they shared opposition to Tuchow and his followers, they didn’t have a lot in common beyond that. So, being the “leader” was not an easy job for Remer.