Avoiding elections

In 2004, twenty year Congressional veteran William Lipinski, a former Chicago Alderman, stepped down as a candidate - but didn’t resign his seat - after he had won an uncontested primary election in a heavily Democratic district.

He then persuaded his fellow Committeemen to replace him on the general election ballot with his son, Daniel, who did not even reside in the state.

A pre-primary announcement by Lipinski that he wasn’t seeking re-election would likely have triggered a contested race, and his son would not have had time to leave his out-of-state job, establish Illinois residency, or build a constituency for a race.

Dad’s post-primary departure greased the deal.

(You can get more Chicago Political Stories at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/994143)