Brackett or Houlihan?

A split in the Reform ranks enabled the Machine to retain the 43rd Ward Democratic Committeeman post in 1976. Elizabeth Brackett (her nickname was “Dibbie”), head of the Independent Precinct Organization (IPO), challenged incumbent Daniel O’Brien for that spot. State Rep. Jim Houlihan also ran, claiming he was more electable because he was better known.

Houlihan turned out to be a spoiler. His third-place vote was larger than the narrow margin of Brackett’s defeat. Some Reform campaign workers resented his effort, accused him of trying to become a “double dipper” by holding two elective positions, and blamed him for their loss. They refused to campaign for him when he ran for a fourth term in 1978. That was the year he lost.