Fight Night: The 2nd Ward Aldermanic Debate at Cards Against Humanity

February 12, 2015

This past Sunday, February 8th, just two weeks before Chicago’s primary elections, six candidates for Alderman of the 2nd Ward gathered at the headquarters of Cards Against Humanity, a self described “party game for horrible people”. This was to be the final debate of one of Chicago’s more unusual and competitive municipal races.
The district was redrawn prior to the 2015 elections, causing sitting Alderman Bob Fioretti to no longer live in the ward, effectively forcing him out of office. Fioretti is now challenging Mayor Rahm Emanual for Chicago’s top seat. The new district, which encompasses parts of the neighborhoods of Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park and Bucktown is one of the most sprawling and confusing in the city, and has been the subject of a federal lawsuit decrying it as unfair.

A municipal debate hosted by a company that recently made headlines on Black Friday selling bull feces on their website wasn’t something I’d ever heard of happening before. So I went. Some highlights below.

A map showing the newly redistricted 2nd Ward.

The theater at the Cards Against Humanity Offices, Chicago IL.

Candidate Cornell Wilson (center), a marine veteran and attorney, talks with attendees prior to the debate.

Candidate Bita Buenrostro (center), who immigrated to the U.S. from Iran at the age of 19, talks with attendees prior the start of the debate.

Candidate Stacey Pfingsten (center), a community outreach coordinator for outgoing Alderman Bob Fioretti, talks with her staff to distribute literature pieces.

Candidate Brian Hopkins (right), chief of staff of Cook County Commissioner John Daley, talks with an attendee prior to the debate.

WBEZ political reporter and moderator Lauren Chooljian backstage prior to the debate.

All six of the 2nd Ward candidates backstage. From left to right; Alyx Pattison, Brian Hopkins, Stacy Pfingsten, Bita Buenrostro, Steve Niketopoulos, and Cornell Wilson.

Cornell Wilson takes the stage.

Cornell Wilson answers a question during the debate.

Brian Hopkins (left) talks with rival Steve Niketopoulos during the debate.

Moderator Lauren Chooljian watches as Stacey Pfingsten answers a question.

Candidate Steve Niketopoulos displays a Card Against Humanity to make a point during the debate. Niketopoulos was the only of the candidates to have previously played the game.

Candidate Alyx Pattison talks with a campaign aide following the debate.

An aide carries literature for candidate Bita Buenrostro.

Stacy Pfingsten gathers up literature and placards following the debate.