Political survival

Many politicians do whatever they think will help them remain in power.

In the 1983 Chicago Mayoral election, Machine loyalists Timothy Evans, Eugene Sawyer, and Tyrone Kenner switched sides and backed Harold Washington, considering that to be an essential act of political survival in the Black community. 

In fact, only two Black Aldermen who had opposed Washington – 34th Ward Ald. Wilson Frost and 24th Ward Ald. Bill Henry – were re-elected. Henry was strong enough to win on his own and Frost benefited from Washington’s neutrality. His opponent was the son of Congressman Gus Savage, whom Washington didn’t like, and the soon-to-be-elected Mayor didn’t take sides in that contest.

Even State Rep. Michael Madigan, serving his first term as Speaker of the Illinois House, endorsed Washington in the general election (he backed Mayor Byrne in the primary), despite his 13th Ward Democratic organization delivering one of the city’s biggest margins for Republican Bernard Epton.

Madigan wanted to be on record in support of Washington so he could count on the support of the city’s Black legislators in a contest for Speaker, enabling him to remain in power.