11032015 - News Article - Dems retain mayor's office in Lake Station

Dems retain mayor's office in Lake Station
Post-Tribune
November 03, 2015
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-lake-station-mayor-st-1104-20151103-story.html

Former Lake Station City Court Judge Chris Anderson will become the city's newest mayor after a landslide victory over his Republican challenger, Edward "Ed" Peralta.

The city's Republicans were not able to capitalize Tuesday on the scandal created when the city's former Democratic mayor, Keith Soderquist, was found guilty of wire fraud and filing false income tax returns for using campaign funds and money from the city's food pantry to pay for gambling excursions in September. He is seeking a new trial.

Soderquist lost to Anderson in the primary.

Anderson garnered 87 percent of the votes, to Peralta's 14 percent showing, according to unofficial vote totals.

Anderson and Peralta both campaigned on the need for change in how the city operates and the creation of greater transparency in order to rebuild residents' faith in their government.

They also both acknowledged before Tuesday's vote that if a Republican were to have a shot at office in what has traditionally been a Democratic stronghold, Soderquist's public downfall likely would have created that opportunity.

Voters showed that despite the scandal the party was not losing influence in the city.

"I think based on results today it is safe to say the Democrats are still strong in Lake Station," Anderson said to cheers from the approximately 200 people who packed Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9323 to watch results.

He said the city faces challenges in the coming year and he is ready to jump in and begin moving forward Jan. 1. Anderson said he would like to immediately implement changes that have no cost associated with them but would improve service to residents, such as increasing transparency and responding to questions and concerns, regardless of the answer.

Anderson said he also plans to have the city join the Shared Ethics Advisory Commission and participate in the training that comes with it.

The mayor-elect said he has already established a good relationship with interim Mayor Dewey Lemley and plans to continue working with him on some of the city's issues in the coming weeks while he is winding down his law practice so he is ready to hit the ground running in January.

"I know everybody (who was elected) will put their heart and soul in to making things right," Anderson said.

Peralta said he was disappointed by the results.

"If that's what the people spoke, the people deserve what they pick. It's the people's choice. I don't know what to say," he said.