Daley wins

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33779, 27 February 1975, Page 17

Daley wins

ißy WILLIAM E. FARREI. of the "New York Times through N.Z.P.A.)

CHICAGO, Feb. 26

The Mayor of Chicago Mr Richard J. Daley, the last of the hig city Democratic bosses, beat I three Democratic primary’ opponents early last night in his bid for an unprecedented sixth four-year term as Mayor of the nation’s second largest city.

The victory of the 72-year-old Mr Daley means that he is virtually assured of re-election on April 1 in this overwhelmingly Democratic city, where Republican politicians are regarded more as curiosities than alternatives.

The other mayoral contenders were Mr William S. Singer, a 34-year-old aiderman, Mr Edward V. Hanrahan, a 53-year-o)d former State prosecutor, and a State senator, Mr Richard H. Newhouse, a 51-year-old black lawyer.

With 1449 out of a total of 3146 precincts reporting. Mr Daley was leading his main rival, Mr Singer, by more than 100,000 votes. The other two candidates were far behind.

Mr Daley's victory was a triumph for the Democratic patronage machine he controls and testimonial to its ability to get out the voters. It was the only primary battle Daley has had since he was first elected Mayor in 1955.

The victory came despite scandals, indictments and some convictions in recent months involving associates of Mr Daley who engaged in schemes to enrich themselves at public expense. The charges of corruption levelled by his three opponents apparently did not move the blocs of voters, black, white, and working clasa, who have sustained the Cook County Democratic organisation over the years. During the campaign literature circulating in white working class enclaves said that “if Mayor Daley is not elected then Chicago will belong to the Jews and Negroea.” Mr Singer ia Jewish and Mr Newhouaa is black.