Matt Martin Wins 47th Ward Alderman Race

CHICAGO — After facing off against candidate Michael Negron, Matt Martin has won the 47th Ward aldermanic runoff election. The 47th Ward seat has been one of the most contested in Chicago, rivaled only by the 20th Ward, both of which headed into the Feb. 26 election with nine candidates.

The 47th Ward includes parts of North Center, Roscoe Village, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood and Uptown.

Martin and Negron were vying to replace outgoing Ald. Ameya Pawar, who served two terms in the ward.

Aldermanic runoff election results:

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Martin is an attorney at the Illinois Attorney General's Office, where he focuses on issues including police reform, workers' rights, healthcare, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights and immigration. Through his work, Martin helped draft the consent decree to hold the city accountable in reforming the police department.

Martin co-founded the Heart of Lincoln Square Neighbors Association and served on Pawar's Zoning Advisory Council.

Martin's priorities include fully funding schools, affordable housing and police reform.

Martin lives in Lincoln Square with his wife, Katelyn, and his son.

Martin has proposed reducing residents' reliance on property taxes by pursuing solutions such as graduated city income tax or a real estate transactions tax.

On March 24, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Super PAC, Chicago Forward, began running attack ads against Martin.

Martin’s campaign team said the ads misrepresented Martin's proposal and made up tax brackets that he never suggested.

“On February 26, our campaign came in first place with nearly forty percent of the vote, because voters want bold, independent leaders who will take on tough challenges and be honest with them.” Laura Reimers, Martin’s campaign manager said.

“Michael Negron spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to earn barely four thousand votes. Now rather than talk about his own record as Rahm Emanuel’s chief of policy, Negron and his allies are demonstrating their contempt for the voters by trying to mislead them. The voters want honest leadership and Michael Negron has proved he will not be an honest leader.”

“Over several months, I enjoyed sharing ideas with a crowd of thoughtful, committed candidates. This campaign has always been about bringing neighbors together to take on big challenges. I am disappointed that Michael Negron and his allies have resorted to misleading voters about my record, rather than engage in serious debate about the issues,” Martin said.

In response, Negron said that his campaign "has had nothing to do with, nor did we ask for, the Chicago Forward ads running in this race."

Negron said that for months Martin has been the candidate "who has spoken the most about a city income tax."

"There is an ample record of statements by Matt about imposing this new tax on top of a state progressive income tax and using it to pay for a range of things from property tax relief to schools to pensions," Negron said.

"Moreover, the cities Matt has repeatedly pointed to as examples for a new city income tax are places where everyone pays, not just the wealthy. The moment voters started to push back his campaign began to back away from his previously stronger statements."

Negron has been Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Chief of Policy for more than five years. Negron worked for Barack Obama's presidential campaign from 2007 until his election, and then went on to work as a staffer for Elizabeth Warren and serve in the Obama Administration. In 2011, Negron returned to Chicago to work for Emanuel.

Negron's priorities include investment in neighborhood schools, improving parks and infrastructure and enhancing public safety.

"Here's the truth — there are no one-sentence answers or easy solutions to any of our challenges," Negron said in a January forum held in Lake View. "Our problems are complex and will take tough decisions in the years to come to address them."

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47th Ward endorsements:

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board: Matt Martin;

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board: Michael Negron.

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The city council is responsible for adopting the city budget and levying taxes. It's also tasked with creating and amending city laws, policies and ordinances.

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