Gardiner, the Fake Democrat
If Gardiner isn’t a Republican, the Republicans certainly believe he’s a Republican.
In 2019, when running for Alderman, Jim Gardiner declined to answer questions about his party affiliation claiming to be an Independent. After winning the Aldermanic election, Gardiner then changed his story, claiming to be a Democrat despite having never articulated any Democratic values or progressive ideals. He is currently running for the 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson race, although he’s clearly backed by the Northwest Side GOP (scroll down for more). The Northwest Side has many examples of Republicans running as Democrats in the current March 17 primary, including:
John Garrido - running as a Dem for Cook County 10th Subcircuit Judge. CPD Lieutenant, previously ran as a Republican for a Cook County office, opponent of affordable housing, who advocated for conducting criminal background checks on children in subsidized/low-income housing. In this video, Garrido asks the developer if they will run criminal background checks on children at the 5150 Northwest Highway mixed-income apartments (note the reaction of his supporters). Garrido has cost Chicago taxpayers $40,000 in CPD misconduct settlements. Garrido is a part-time real estate attorney with no courtroom experience. His real, qualified Democratic challenger is Jon Stromsta. UPDATE: Check out this video of Garrido’s own words and this series of Northwest Side Tea Party tweets.
Bill Kilroy - running as 41st Ward Democratic Committeeperson, retired CPD Lieutenant. Kilroy has a recent history of pulling Republican tickets in multiple primaries. Kilroy is endorsed by self-described Republican Alderman Anthony Napolitano, a frequent Fox News guest. Kilroy cost Chicago taxpayers $405,000 in CPD misconduct settlements, including a $395,000 settlement for ordering police to pepper spray individuals celebrating Barrack Obama’s 2008 victory on election day. Kilroy’s real Democratic challenger is Joe Cook.
Dan O’Toole - running for IL 10th Senate District. Every primary he’s voted in, he’s pulled a Republican ticket. O’Toole has cost Chicago taxpayers $159,680 in misconduct settlements as a Sergeant with CPD, including unlawfully entering a home in Norwood Park, along with Bill Kilroy, and this insane story of falsely imprisoning a man for two weeks on falsified evidence.
Jim Gardiner Votes Republican
In 2014, with Bruce Rauner running in the Republican Gubernatorial Primary, Jim Gardiner pulled a Republican ballot.
Jim Gardiner Sponsored by the Northwest Side GOP
One of the people Jim Gardiner used to gather signatures for him to get on the ballot for 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson was Joe DiCiaula. Joe is a Republican precinct captain in the 45th Ward.
Gardiner has prominently displayed photos of himself with GOP fundraiser and vocal Trump supporter Rudy Pamintuan. In this November post about Gardiner’s fundraiser, two of the three photos Gardiner chose to post feature Pamintuan.
Gardiner has received $2,000 from Willie Wilson. In his 2019 mayoral bid, Wilson was endorsed by the Northwest Side GOP, the Young Republicans, and Cook County GOP Chairman Sean Morrison. Wilson’s other recent donations have gone to GOP Committeeperson Candidate Ammie Kessem, the Northwest Side GOP, and the Restore Illinois PAC, whose stated purpose is “To promote and elect conservative Republican candidates in east central Illinois.”
