Ald. Cappleman officially secures third term after challenge withdrawn

46th Ward aldermanic candidate Marianne Lalonde, left, and Ald. James Cappleman. | File Photos by Rich Hein/Sun-Times

The challenge to Ald. James Cappleman’s re-election victory was withdrawn Tuesday, ensuring a third term for the Uptown alderman and new chair of the City Council’s Zoning Committee.

After failing to secure more than 50% of the vote in February’s general election, the 46th Ward incumbent was forced into an April runoff election against Marianne Lalonde, a scientific research consultant with a PhD in chemistry from Northwestern University.

After the dust settled, Cappleman won the runoff by just 25 votes — 7,079 to 7,054. Lalonde challenged the results, but that challenge was withdrawn Tuesday, according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

In a tweet, Cappleman said of the of the withdrawn challenge: “Now that the 46th Ward election is settled, I look forward to 4 more years of advocating for all residents and working together as a community.”

Lalonde could not be reached for comment Tuesday. However, after the nail-biter runoff that led to her challenge, she said: “I was expecting it to be close, but this was a little closer than I was expecting. It’s an honor to have the support of almost 7,000 of my neighbors. This race has really highlighted a dichotomy that exists in the 46th Ward.”

Now that the 46th Ward election is settled, I look forward to 4 more years of advocating for all residents and working together as a community.

— James Cappleman (@JamesCappleman) May 7, 2019

As close as the 46th Ward contest was, it wasn’t the tightest ward race this year.

Challenger Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez squeezed past Ald. Deb Mell in the 33^rd Ward by just 13 votes.

Mell finally gave up her family’s 44-year hold on the Northwest Side aldermanic seat last week, conceding to Rodriguez Sanchez after a partial recount showed Mell gaining no ground since the results were certified on April 18.

RELATED:

• Ward races pretty much over in 46th, 33rd — Cappleman OK, Mell not so much
• Counting every last vote – and cupcake – in 33rd and 46th wards
• Election Day or Groundhog Day? Mail-in ballots keep 33rd, 46th wards in flux
• Dynasty slayer Rodriguez Sanchez ready to build bridges—not rehash past battles
* Mell family dynasty ends after 44 years; Deb Mell concedes to socialist
• Rodriguez Sanchez calls on Mell to abandon recount: ‘We beat the machine’