Evanston’s firefighters union backed four winners and two losers in the last local election season.
The union’s endorsement became an issue in this year’s mayoral race when candidate Stuart Opdycke challenged Elizabeth Tisdahl over her decision to accept a $500 donation from the group, claiming it is inappropriate for candidates to accept financial support from groups that will be negotiating contracts with the city.
State Board of Elections filings show the union gave $350 to Alderman Anjana Hansen, 9th Ward, and $250 each to aldermen Lionel Jean-Bapiste, 2nd Ward, Delores Holmes, 5th Ward, and Tisdahl, 7th Ward.
But it also gave $250 to Judy Fiske in her losing race for 1st Ward alderman and $750 to Martin Norkett in his failed bid for the 6th Ward aldermanic seat.
Campaign reports showing this year’s contributions by the Evanston Firemans PAC won’t be filed until later this month.
But, in addition to Tisdahl, aldermanic candidates Mark Tendam, 6th Ward, and Jane Grover, 7th Ward, have acknowledged receiving support from the firefighters group this year.