James Patton concedes to Thaddeus Jones in Calumet City mayoral race
Calumet City Ald. James Patton conceded to Mayor Thaddeus Jones Tuesday night in the city's Democratic primary.
With all 21 precincts reporting, Jones had 2,326 votes, or 60%, compared to 1,533 votes for Patton, according to unofficial results from the Cook County clerk's office. Calumet City filings show no challenger to the Democratic nominee in the April 1 general election.
At the Calumet City VFW Tuesday night, Patton thanked the packed bar of supporters for their aid in his efforts to unseat Jones. He congratulated Jones and said he tried to reach out to the mayor but was unable to reach him.
'Eleven months ago, I stood just in that room over there and set out on a journey that many told me was impossible,' Patton said to his supporters.
'I gave up my seat on the City Council to run this year because I truly believed we needed a different direction in this community,' he said.
Patton is Ward 6 alderman and over the past four years questioned the city's contract bidding process, disputed thousands of dollars of spending Jones charged to a municipal credit card and called a special meeting outdoors to dismiss a lawsuit Jones brought against the city clerk. He also drew parallels between Jones' leadership and that of Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard.
Meanwhile, Jones said in a recent interview that Patton's complaints were not winning issues and predicted coming out on top in Tuesday's primary.
'They want to continue this wrath of chaos and talk about things that don't matter to the voters,' Jones said. 'Voters don't want to hear them talking about mismanaging spending, because I can tell you this definitely — we are not the village of Dolton.'
Several incumbent candidates on Patton's slate were leading Tuesday night, including 2nd Ward Ald. Monet Wilson, 5th Ward Ald. DeJuan Gardner and City Clerk Nyota Figgs. Figgs had 2,019 votes compared to Cassandra Hobert Elston's 1,812, and Wilson had 499 votes to Erica Jenkins' 421. Gardner was leading Roger Munda with 422 votes, or 77%.
Members of Jones' slate leading Tuesday night included Shalisa Harvey in the 1st Ward, with 173 votes to incumbent Ald. Michael Navarrette's 148. Miacole Nelson was leading in the 6th Ward with 295 votes to Garnadette Stuckey's 248.
In a one-vote difference, Melissa Phillips was ahead of incumbent Michael Smith for Ward 7 alderman.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
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