Six vying for third party run against indicted Rep. Smith
BY DAVE MCKINNEY Springfield Bureau Chief dmckinney@suntimes.com May 18, 2012 4:22PM
Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago). FILE PHOTO. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
Updated: July 1, 2012 12:13PM
SPRINGFIELD — Six applicants, including the daughter of state Sen. Annazette Collins, submitted their names Friday to a panel planning to anoint a third-party challenger to indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith.
Angelique Momon-Collins tendered her name to the 10th District Unity Party to be slated to run against Smith. Her mother lost her Senate election bid in March to Democrat Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins, who used the senator’s questionable legislative scholarship awards to unseat her.
Also among those throwing his name into the ring Friday was Lance Tyson, a former top aide to ex-Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.
The four others seeking the new party’s blessing were Stacy Haskins, Robert Teinowitz, Melissa Conyars and Beverly Perteet.
The nine Democratic ward committeemen in the heavily Democratic 10th House District who are taking the unusual step of forming a third party will choose a candidate on Tuesday. Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) and Secretary of State Jesse White have the biggest say in the decision, which will be made by weighted vote.
White spokesman Dave Druker said a Friday deadline for applicants to submit their names to the panel was extended to Monday because of NATO activities in Chicago.
Unable to persuade Smith to step down following his federal bribery indictment, Democratic Party leaders resorted to the creation of a third-party in an effort to prevent him from winning a two-year term to the House in November.
