Seymour Simon, the celebrity

40th Ward Democratic Committeeman Seymour Simon became a political maverick after being dumped by the Democratic party for re-election as Cook County Board President in 1966.

He regained the Aldermanic seat he had once held, allied himself with Independents and Republicans in the City Council, and endorsed anti-Machine candidates in a couple of elections.

In 1973, he backed Independent Ted Berland for 50th ward Alderman and made phone calls on the candidate’s behalf.

When a voter he had called recognized him, he said to her, “Yeah, lady, it’s really me. Just like you see on television.”

Simon enjoyed his celebrity status.

You can get more Chicago Political Stories - and more Seymour Simon stories - at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/994143