Challenger Wins
West River Backing

In an upset victory over a longtime incumbent, Yale union steward won her local party’s blessing in a challenge against Alderman Yusuf I. Shah.

Tyisha Walker (pictured) is running for West River’s Ward 23 alderman in a Sept. 13 primary against Shah. She earned the nomination of her Democratic ward committee Wednesday night, beating out Shah, who has represented the ward for five two-year terms.

“What happened tonight shows that West River is ready for a new voice at City Hall,” said Walker in a press statement.

Reached Thursday, Shah said ​“I am definitely in” for the primary.

The meeting at West River’s Berger Apartments was one of a number of nominating conventions that took place around town this week. All 30 ward committees, arms of the Democratic Party, have to nominate candidates before the Democratic Town Committee convention on Tuesday. Endorsed candidates then often get helpf rom the official party or ward organization in the Sept. 13 primaries.

In Dwight’s Ward 2, the mayor has named Greg Smith, Sr. as temporary alderman for the rest of the year. Smith was one of three people who put their names in to fill a seat left vacant by Gina Calder. His photo and phone number are now up on the city website.

Smith has not filed to run in the general election to serve as alderman next year. The Dwight ward committee has not yet chosen whom to endorse between its two candidates, Frank Douglass and Doug Bethea.

In Westville’s Ward 25, where Alderman Greg Dildine is not seeking reelection, the Democratic Party committee met Wednesday to make an endorsement. Democrats there chose Michael Slattery over his opponent, Adam Marchand.

In Downtown’s Ward 7, Doug Hausladen got a unanimous ward committee endorsement in a convention Tuesday at the People’s Center.