Silverstein in tough primary fight following sexual harassment allegations

Democratic state Sen. Ira Silverstein, the only member of the General Assembly to have been publicly accused of sexual harassment in the #MeToo movement that’s swept through Springfield, faces the fight of his political life on Tuesday.

Fallout from the accusation led to his first primary election challenge in the 20 years he’s comfortably held the Far North Side and north suburban seat. And the outcome of the four-person contest could be an early sign of whether pro-woman and anti-establishment sentiments have taken hold among voters in a district that’s both liberal and highly diverse.

Silverstein has had to revive a dormant campaign operation and turn to party leaders for fundraising help after he was nearly kicked off the ballot in January for barely having enough nominating signatures.

The race also features Caroline McAteer-Fournier, who’s running as a political outsider; Ram Villivalam, a union lobbyist who has the backing of several congressional Democrats and prominent liberal groups; and David Zulkey, a lawyer campaigning as a fiscal conservative who was the only candidate planning a bid before the allegations against Silverstein.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-ira-silverstein-primary-challenge-20180316-story.html