April 15--The challenger to the first-term alderman of Lincoln Park's 43rd Ward conceded defeat Tuesday, telling supporters in an email that she did not expect the trickling flow of provisional and absentee ballots still coming in to put her over the top.
Caroline Vickrey, an attorney and neighborhood activist, trailed Ald. Michele Smith by 86 votes after a good portion of absentee ballots were counted, according to the most recent unofficial tally of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
That was a reversal from the day after the April 7 runoff election, when Vickrey led Ald. Michele Smith by six votes.
"While there remain a number of provisional and possible absentee ballots to be counted, the number needed for our campaign to regain the lead simply is not there," Vickrey said in the email. "We could drag this out for another week, demand a recount and file a formal challenge -- and many of you have urged me to do so -- but I do not believe this is in the best interest of our ward. For this reason, I am today ending my campaign for Alderman of the 43rd Ward."
The 43rd Ward race was one of the hardest fought in the city, with the issue of redeveloping parts of the upscale ward front and center. Smith was backed by Emanuel and had a much larger campaign war chest, making first-time candidate Vickrey something of an underdog in the contest.
"I'd like to thank Caroline Vickrey for her passion and hard work," Smith said in her own email. "She has been a committed community member for over twenty years, and she ran a strong campaign. We look forward to working with her for the betterment of our community."
hdardick@tribpub.com
