Judge upholds Montes candidacy

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Updated: February 3, 2012 10:54PM

Raul Montes Jr., who is challenging state Sen. Steve Landek (D-Bridgeview) in next month’s Democratic primary, said a Cook County judge Tuesday upheld a Chicago Board of Elections ruling validating his nomination papers.

A Bridgeview municipal employee, Gary Crossman, had challenged Montes’ candidacy, among other things alleging Montes didn’t have enough valid signatures. Landek is Bridgeview’s mayor and Crossman was represented by Burt Odelson, a well-known election law attorney and close friend of Landek.

Crossman had appealed the election board’s Jan. 17 ruling in favor of Montes, and Judge Robert Bertucci upheld that decision, Montes said.

Mike Nolan