Matt O'Shea Fends Off 2 Challengers, Wins 4th Term As 19 Ward Alderman

CHICAGO — Matt O’Shea cruised easily to a fourth term as 19th Ward alderman, representing the Southwest Side neighborhoods of Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Morgan Park, where many of the city’s first responders live. O’Shea avoided an April runoff against two challengers, capturing 63.1 percent of the ward’s vote.

The campaign was not without its moments of drama, with his challengers accusing him of dodging multiple invitations to a candidates forum. O’Shea called the past six months difficult for himself, his family and his staff.

“We had a chance to go low, but we didn’t,” O’Shea told a jubilant crowd at Barranco’s Mt. Greenwood.

Ald. Matt O'Shea greets a supporter at his watch party at Barraco's Mt. Greenwood.

O’Shea, 53, faced retired Chicago police sergeant Mike Cummings, and computer consultant Tim Noonan. The alderman built a wide lead over the two challengers early in the evening. At the end of the evening, unofficial vote tallies were:

Matthew O’Shea - 13,723 (63.1%)
Michael Cummings - 6,850 (31.5%)
Timothy Noonan - 1,174 (5.4%)

Source: Chicago Board of Elections

The alderman thanked his staff “who always have my back and yours,” and the neighborhood business associations. O’Shea was accompanied by his wife, Cara, children Patrick and Eileen, his siblings Michael, Annie and Maura, and his father, Dan.

“Back in 1968 when my parents had outgrown the house we had on Laflin Street, my mom wanted to look in Beverly,” O’Shea said. “For those of you who were here, back in the late ‘60s things were crazy around here. My mom said ‘I want to move here to this integrated community. I was lucky to be raised here. Now I’m raising my family. I hope all us can work together so my children can raise their children here, because this neighborhood is worth fighting for.”