Now, to be fair, I'm not on the e-mail lists of every candidate running to replace Rahm Emanuel in Congress from the 5th District.
In fact, I haven't signed up to be on the e-mail list of a single candidate (well, after talking to a representative of one campaign, we agreed that she would double-check to make sure I was on their list). But that doesn't mean my inbox isn't full.
I thought I would summarize the last few days of the campaign from the prism of said inbox.
12:39 P.M. Sunday, Feb. 22: [EMBARGOED UNTIL NOON MONDAY] "Illinois State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) celebrates the Polish tradition of Paczki Day at the Jefferson Park Blue Line Stop."
1:25 P.M. Sunday, Feb. 22: "We are so pleased to announce that Illinois State Comptroller Dan Hynes today endorsed Sara [Feigenholtz] in the race for the 5th Congressional District!"
11:00 A.M. Monday, Feb. 23: "Alderman Patrick J. O’Connor received another endorsement today, this time from former Cook County State’s Attorney Richard Devine. Devine served as Cook County State’s Attorney for 12 years, recently retiring in 2008."
11:01 A.M. Monday, Feb. 23: "The United Auto Workers (UAW) Illinois State Community Action Program today endorsed State Representative Sara Feigenholtz in the special election to fill the seat vacated by former Congressman and Chief of Staff to President Obama, Rahm Emanuel."
Local
5:21 P.M. Monday, Feb. 23: "Vote for David J. Anderson for Congress! My aspiration is to be a CITIZEN - PUBLIC SERVANT, not a career public servant. I consider public service to be a duty, not a career opportunity."
10:20 A.M. Tuesday, Feb. 24: "The United Steelworkers District 7 today endorsed State Representative Sara Feigenholtz in the special election to fill the seat vacated by former Congressman and Chief of Staff to President Obama, Rahm Emanuel."
11:23 A.M. Tuesday, Feb. 24: "State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) today announced the endorsement of State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias in support of his candidacy for Illinois’ 5th Congressional District Representative."
3:48 P.M. Tuesday, Feb. 24: "Dear Steve, The Special Election is one week away! With only 7 days left, my campaign team has kicked it into high gear . . . Let's go win this election! Sincerely, Sara Feigenholtz."
5:07 P.M. Tuesday, Feb. 24: "Victor Forys, M.D. Criticizes State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz for Taking Tens of Thousands in Campaign Cash from the Insurance and Drug Companies and Not Doing Enough to Challenge the Insurance Companies in Illinois During Her Time in the Legislature."
10:41 P.M. Tuesday, Feb. 24: "Feigenholtz Statement on President Obama’s Address to Joint Session of Congress: Congressional Candidate Applauds President Obama’s Commitment to Making Health Care Reform a Top Priority."
8:33 A.M. Wednesday, Feb. 25: "Showing once again that its endorsement is good for more than a press release, [the Progressive Democrats of America] is stepping up to support Tom Geoghegan in the special election being held Tuesday to fill the Illinois 5th Congressinal District seat recently vacated by Rahm Emanuel."
9:50 A.M. Wednesday, Feb. 25 "State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) today announced that his campaign to replace Rahm Emanuel as the next Representative for Illinois’ 5th Congressional District has picked up the endorsements of numerous local elected officials. Fritchey cited the endorsements as reflecting a broad base of support from across the district."
10:47 A.M. Wednesday, Feb. 25: "State Representative John Fritchey (D-Chicago), a candidate in next week’s Special Primary Election to fill the 5th Congressional District vacancy, today chided one of his opponents in the race as an opportunist and a hypocrite. Rep. Fritchey’s comments came in response to mailers and statements made by Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley regarding the state’s bailout of the CTA, Metra and Pace mass transit systems, and his supposed opposition to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger."
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I'm not even really complaining. The volume of e-mails is annoying - and again, I urge everyone to check out the candidates not named here - but they actually are informative. It will just be nice when it's over.
Steve Rhodes is the proprietor of The Beachwood Reporter, which typically endorses reform-minded candidates who want to smash the Machine. You can subscribe to his NBCChicago.com RSS feed here.
