Lawmaker Replaced by Son on Ballot

Democratic Party officials picked Rep. William O. Lipinski’s son Tuesday to replace his father on the November ballot, a decision engineered by Lipinski after he announced his retirement and withdrew from the race last week.

Ward and township committee members in the 3rd Congressional District unanimously picked Daniel Lipinski, 38, during a 15-minute meeting in which no other candidates offered their credentials.

“My heart has always been here. I’ve always wanted to come back,” said the younger Lipinski, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Tennessee. “This is my home, and I’m not a carpetbagger.”

Lipinski said that if elected he would try to retain his father’s seat on the House Transportation Committee and that his other priorities included education and affordable healthcare.

“I believe the job of a member of Congress is to fulfill the hopes of the people and to help them achieve their dreams,” he said.

Both Lipinskis denied that Daniel’s nomination was assured long before the vote.

“It was an open process. Anyone who wanted to present their credentials could have presented their credentials today,” the elder Lipinski said.

Daniel Lipinski would be virtually guaranteed election in the Democratic district, where the Republican candidate, Ryan Chlada of Cicero, is not well known and has not registered a fundraising committee with the Federal Election Commission.