by BRIAN NADIG

Chicago police officer Jeff La Porte has dropped out of the 39th Ward aldermanic race, leaving four candidates vying for the seat of retiring incumbent Alderman Margaret Laurino.

"This was an extremely difficult decision to make; however, I feel at this time it is in the best interest for myself and that of my family to step down.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers who helped me throughout the journey," La Porte said in a recent Facebook posting.

La Porte also ran last year in the Democratic primary in the 19th Illinois House District race but lost his challenge to incumbent state Representative Robert Martwick.









The remaining candidates in the 39th Ward race are former Cook County Department of Homeland Security chief of staff Samantha Nugent, 39th Ward Democratic committeeman Robert Murphy, Albany Park Community Center director of development Casey Smagala and Chicago police officer Joe Duplechin. The 39th Ward includes Sauganash, Forest Glen, Indian Woods, Mayfair, North Mayfair and parts of Gladstone Park and Edgebrook.

The Edgebrook Community Association recently announced that it would host a forum for 39th and 41st Ward aldermanic candidates from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Saint Mary of the Wood School, 7033 N. Moselle Ave.

Running in the 41st Ward are incumbent Alderman Anthony Napolitano and 41st Ward Democratic committeeman Tim Heneghan.

Also, the North River Commission is coordinating a 39th Ward aldermanic forum from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Irish-American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave.