Obama endorses old friend for alderman in 4thWard
Former President Barack Obama delivered Monday for the wife of a close friend — by endorsing appointed Ald. Sophia King ( 4th) in next month’s special aldermanic election.
King is the wife of Alan King, a house music disc jockey/ Chicago attorney who is a close friend and basketball- playing buddy of Obama.
That is, in part, how Sophia King came to the attention of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who served as Obama’s first White House chief of staff and appointed King to replace former Ald. Will Burns ( 4th).
“Michelle and I have known Sophia many years as a leader dedicated to improving her community,” Obama said in a statement released byKing’s campaign.
“Over the years, Sophia has worked to make neighborhood schools and communities better. Sophia is the type of leader Chicago and the 4thWard need.”
Gregory Seal Livingston, one of four candidates challenging King, said the Obama endorsement stems from the fact that Alan King is “part of the gang.”
“Obama’s friendship with Alan. Her relationship with Rahm and Toni Preckwinkle. That’s why the president endorsed her. He should have stayed out of this 4th Ward race and let the people decide this on the merits of the candidates and not their friendships,” Livingston said.
“What are people gonna say: ‘ She was endorsed by the former president. Let’s vote for her?’ I’ve got to give folks much more credit than that. They’re asking, ‘ MrPresident, why? What are you doing? You’re a major player. This is the political minors.’ Wow.’”
King is the founder of Harriet’s Daughters, a non- profit group of professional women that works on wealth- creation opportunities for African- American neighborhoods.
The appointed alderman released a statement, saying she was “honored” to have Obama’s endorsement.