PRESS RELEASE
DJ Doran Will Not Challenge Opponents’ Petitions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO, Friday, Oct 23, 2026 — Dennis “DJ” Doran, candidate for 44th Ward alderman, announced today that his campaign will not file objections to the nominating petitions of either of his opponents in the February 23, 2027 municipal election.
All three campaigns submitted petitions on Oct. 19 with far more signatures than the minimum 473 required. The Doran campaign submitted over three times that amount, more than both opponents’ campaigns.
After reviewing the filings, the Doran campaign saw no need for a legal challenge, choosing instead to focus on the issues voters care about in the election.
“Petition challenges exist to stop fraud, and that’s an important safeguard,” Doran said. “But too often in Chicago they’re used to knock opponents off the ballot over technicalities, and that takes choice away from voters. We didn’t have choice in the last election for alderman.
“I’m not going to play that game. The people of the 44th Ward deserve a leader who knows when it’s time to campaign on the merits instead of quibbling in the courtroom.”
Doran has worked to make Chicago’s government more open and accountable. He founded and previously directed Chicago Deserves Better, a nonprofit that advocates for the establishment of a city charter commission.
“Chicago’s institutions should work for residents, not insiders,” Doran said. “Using the petition process to win by default contradicts everything I stand for. Let’s have a real debate about the future of the 44th Ward and let voters decide. Over the next few months I will work hard to earn the voters' trust and support, focused on the strength of our ideas and our vision for the ward.”
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About DJ Doran
Dennis (DJ) Doran is an Air Force veteran, a real estate entrepreneur, and a community advocate who has demonstrated an ability to build partnerships across Chicago. He is formerly the executive director of the nonprofit Chicago Deserves Better, which has been working to establish a commission to develop a City Charter, a local constitution to guide Chicago’s future.
Doran’s campaign for 44th Ward Alderman focuses on restoring responsive neighborhood leadership, with an emphasis on improving public safety and public transit, strengthening accountability at City Hall, and supporting responsible economic development throughout the Ward.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tom Ciavarella
(312) 539-1377