KELLY REACTS TO OPPONENT’S THREAT IN CHICAGO GOP WARD RACE

December 15, 2011 at 3:25 pm
My Fellow Republicans and Conservatives,

Because I passionately believe that Chicago deserves a real two-party system, I announced in early November my intention to run for committeeman of Chicago’s 42nd ward. My goal is to become the Chairman of the Chicago Republican Party and – do what I say I am going to do – help build a real Republican Party in Chicago.

But is that what some Republican insiders really want? Apparently not.

Yesterday, David Walsh, threatened my family on behalf of the Smithburg campaign; Tom Smithburg announced his intention to run for 42nd ward committeeman AFTER my announcement; he is a recent college graduate. But Smithburg’s family gave about $10,000 to Rahm Emanuel’s mayoral campaign; which means, in Republican pay-to-play speak, I am supposed to step aside. And that is the problem. Some Republicans think it is acceptable to give $10,000 to Rahm Emanuel. Personally, I take the opposite view. That is one of the reasons that I challenged Smithburg’s petitions on Monday.

Walsh told me Wednesday that if I did not drop my petition challenge and get out of race that I would have to move my family to Nebraska because “every door will be closed to them.” That’s what you get for trying to run for Republican committeeman in Chicago? And challenging a Rahm guy named Smithburg, eh? My history clearly shows that I am not intimidated by rich, powerful people who think they can get what they want by threatening me. It isn’t going to happen.

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