Patterson Bumped From Mayoral Ballot

Dr. Willie Wilson, himself the subject of a signature challenge, is not yet officially on the Feb. 24 ballot

It appears Willie Wilson has won his challenge to bump Fenton Patterson off the ballot as a candidate for mayor.

That was the word from key political sources on Wednesday evening.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's campaign argues Wilson is trying to cut the number of African American candidates from the February ballot. Other challenges are underway for potential candidates Frederick Collins and Robert Shaw.

Wilson himself is not officially on the ballot. He has a hearing next week to see if he has the needed 12,500 signatures. The mayor has challenged the validity of thousands of Wilson's nominating papers after the businessman came up with 43,000 signatures in just five days. Candidates need 12,500 valid signatures to qualify for a spot on the election ballot and Emanuel’s campaign says 35,000 of Wilson’s 43,000 signatures should be tossed out.

Wilson said he was seeking a subpoena to force Emanuel to appear at a Dec. 23 Board of Elections hearing to answer questions about his challenge to Wilson's papers.

The election is Feb. 24.

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