Nation : Victor in Chicago Race for House Denounces ‘White Racist Press’

A defiant Rep. Gus Savage lashed out at “the white racist press” after a narrow victory in Illinois’ primary for the 2nd Congressional District seat.

Savage, who faced the toughest primary of his 10-year congressional career after allegations of sexual misconduct involving a Peace Corps worker, defeated Mel Reynolds, 38, who had called the incumbent “totally ineffective.”

“The power . . . truly is with the people,” Savage told supporters in declaring victory. “Our opponent was those whites who control all of the people’s television airwaves” and major newspapers.

Savage, who called the race a warm-up for Chicago’s 1991 mayoral race, also said, “I believe that we shall beat (Chicago Mayor) Richard Daley and the Democratic machine and the white racist press in 1991.”

With 95% of precincts reporting, Savage had 39,602 votes, or 51%; Reynolds had 33,472 votes, or 43%, and Ernest Washington Jr., a follower of political extremist Lyndon LaRouche, had 4,187 or 5%.

In the GOP gubernatorial primary, Secretary of State Jim Edgar subdued a conservative insurgency to win his party’s nomination for governor and set up a fall battle with Atty. Gen. Neil F. Hartigan, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Four-term Republican Gov. James R. Thompson is retiring.