Negative turn in 35th Ward?

February 21, 2007 (WLS) -- With less than one week to Election Day, candidates in the race for 35th Ward alderman are reporting dirty politics in the form of stolen signs and hacked websites.

The three candidates -- Rey Colon, Miguel Sotomayor and Wilma Colom -- want to serve the Avondale, Humboldt Park, Irving Park and Logan Square communities. All three candidates for alderman of the 35th Ward are Puerto Rican and have an extensive history of serving the diverse community.

Incumbent Rey Colon says the race took a negative turn when someone vandalized his website.

"The server that holds the website was broken into and burglarized. It has taken until now for me to rebuild my website. I am not sure who is responsible," said Ald. Colon.

Colon also says many of his political signs have been removed and some of his supporters have been threatened.

"The race is getting ugly because we are close to election time. Signs have been taken down and replaced one of my supporters was physically threatened. All kinds of the usual shenanigans that take place in a campaign. It takes away from focusing on the issues," said Ald. Colon.

There are similar allegations from candidate Miguel Sotomayor, an Illinois State Toll Highway authority employee and second time aldermanic candidate.

"We have lost a lot of signs. And those are very expensive and obviously cost a lot of money, but we are trying to stay focused. It has truly gotten ugly. We stay true to the message we are not going to get involved in dirty politics," said Sotomayor.

Sotomayer has served on the local school councils and says residents fear being driven out by condo conversions.

"This is something we are very concerned about-- fighting for the working families of our neighborhood," said Miguel Sotomayor, 35th Ward aldermanic candidate.

Former Alderman Wilma Colom held the seat for eight years. She said she is running a clean campaign based on the issues of crime reduction, responsible developments and educational improvements.

"We do not do negative campaigning. If anyone does that in our camp, they need to call us and let us know and we will take care of that," said Wilma Colom, 35th Ward.

Colom says the community wants her back in the driver's seat because she is aggressive and gets things done

"I have the support of many people," said Colom. "You have to be aggressive to bring the resources to your community. My personality has brought this community to where it is today."

All three candidates say they are running clean races and will continue to do so.

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