by Vince Bushell
Strong differences in voting patterns emerged in the primary mayoral campaign on February 17 in Riverwest’s two aldermanic districts, the 3rd and the 6th. The finalists in the mayoral race, Marvin Pratt and Tom Barrett, will face off on April 6, and nowhere is the voter preference contrast so strong between the two than in these two districts. Pratt received his highest percentage (80%) in the 6th District while Barrett got his highest percentage (54%) in the 3rd District. There are three wards on each side of Holton Street in Riverwest and Harambee. On the Riverwest side (wards 95, 103, 105), Pratt received 502 votes to Barrett’s 528, nearly even. On the west side of Holton, in Harambee (wards 96, 104, 106), Pratt fared considerably better with 477 votes to Barrett’s 122. When you look at the three easternmost wards in the 3rd District (38, 42, 50) and compare them to the three westernmost wards in the 6th District (167, 168, 176) the contrast is stark. In the eastern wards Pratt received 248 votes to Barrett’s 1309, while in the three westernmost wards of the 6th Pratt received 996 votes while Barrett had 51. There will need to be bridge building whoever wins. Pratt supporters are saying that if Barrett wins, it will be a step backwards and a lost opportunity. If Pratt wins, there may be some doubt in wealthier neighborhoods on his capacity to lead the city.
by Vince Bushell