Chicago Mayor’s Rival Will Run on Third-Party Ticket

Alderman Edward R. Vrdolyak said Monday he will run against Mayor Harold Washington under the banner of the Solidarity Party, formed last spring by Democrats seeking to avoid association with followers of Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr.

“It’s no secret that the Democratic Party is now being held hostage by Jesse Jackson and Harold Washington,” Vrdolyak said. “This vehicle will allow us to take our party back into the mainstream.”

Vrdolyak, who has been Washington’s political nemesis, said he will stay on as chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party throughout the race, unless other party members ask him to step aside.

The Solidarity Party was formed by former Sen. Adlai E. Stevenson III, who abandoned the Democratic ticket last spring to avoid running for governor with two LaRouche candidates who won Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor and secretary of state.