Claypool won't vote in race

Claypool won't vote in r
Friday, September 8, 2006

By Jonathan Lipman
Staff writer

Forrest Claypool, who lost a hard-fought primary election to John Stroger for the Cook County Board president's seat, said he won't endorse Stroger's son, who is now the Democratic nominee, or his Republican opponent.

"I'm not going to vote for Todd (Stroger), I'm not going to vote for Tony (Peraica)," Claypool said. "It'll be one of those things where I don't vote on that particular race.

"I'm a Democrat, I'm very loyal to my party, but I'm very disappointed in my party right now. I think my party has thumbed its nose to the taxpayers of Cook County."

Claypool lost to John Stroger 46.5 percent to 53.5 percent and has argued his strong showing against the incumbent Stroger was a sign that voters backed his message of reform.

John Stroger suffered a stroke one week before the primary and later withdrew from the general election. Democratic party bosses voted in his son, Chicago Ald. Todd Stroger (8th), to replace him in the November election against Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica (R-Riverside).

Todd Stroger has "a record which doesn't show he has the executive ability to actually step up and pursue reform, real reform," Claypool said.

Claypool said he would have supported John Stroger against Peraica, because he was chosen by voters. Claypool said he felt "let down" by the party's use of a "sordid" process to choose Todd Stroger.

Todd Stroger said he doesn't know why Claypool would feel he couldn't endorse him. Stroger came by the county board's regular meeting Thursday and stopped in Claypool's office to schedule a meeting, seeking Claypool's endorsement.

"I'm trying to meet with all the commissioners and let them know what my plan is for the county," Stroger said. "I would think that the Democrats would look at it, see it and would say, 'We're with you.' "

Stroger also has yet to get an endorsement from interim board president Bobbie Steele.

Steele also wanted the presidential nomination and lobbied party bosses before backing out at the last minute. She has been critical of Todd Stroger's lack of experience and wouldn't divulge her endorsement decision Thursday.

"I reserve the right to say that at a later date," she said. "Todd and I have not talked to the extent that we should."

Although Peraica has said Steele was considering endorsing him, Steele said she wouldn't endorse any Republican candidate "in this lifetime."

Jonathan Lipman may be reached at jlipman@dailysouthtown.com or (312) 782-1286.