When Stone became a Republican

Not long after winning a fifth term as 50th Ward Alderman, Bernard Stone, a lifelong Democrat, switched to the Republican party and became the GOP candidate for Cook County Recorder of Deeds in the 1988 election.

Some observers felt he did that at the urging of his buddy, Ed Vrdolyak, who had also switched parties and was the Republican candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Many thought it was his way to demonstrate opposition to Mayor Harold Washington, who died soon after.

A few thought he was close to being indicted by the Feds for corruption and switched parties as part of a deal to avoid being charged. Others thought it was just Berny being Berny.

Whatever the reason, he lost the election to Carol Moseley Braun and soon rejoined the Democratic Party.

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