Playing both sides

Most White Democratic ward organizations backed Republican Bernard Epton for Mayor of Chicago in the 1983 general election rather than Harold Washington, winner of the Democratic primary election. That was because Epton was White and Washington was Black.

In a few places, though, the Democratic party tried to play both sides.

In the 44th Ward, Alderman Bernard Hansen was one of the first Democratic party Aldermen to endorse Epton. But the Democratic Ward Committeeman, John Merlo, backed Washington.

Epton carried the lakefront high rises and the low-rise, Lakeview neighborhoods. Washington won the racially mixed precincts in-between.

The 44th ward Democratic party tried to be in sync with voters in each part of the ward.