Hullinger: 'The Handwriting Was on the Wall'

Everyone told 5th Ward Ald. Nancy Hullinger that she had nothing to worry about.

But the morning after , she tearfully told Patch that she saw it coming. For weeks leading up to the election, the alderman of eight years had reached out to key players, with none of her calls returned.

Low voter turnout and the lack of connection to voters hinted at her defeat, she said.

"When your own friends don't come out and vote for you, because they think you have it in the bag, this is what happens," Hullinger told Patch.

"I'm very sad. I've been an elected official for 22 years. I was looking forward to trying new things."

Hullinger said she's concerned for the 5th Ward and its success under newly elected alderman Dan Ensing.

"If he thinks he can do a better job at it, let him try," Hullinger said.