Update: On Friday, we received two emails that said Comm. Richard Boykin (D-1) had incorrectly included their endorsements on his website – from a spokesperson for County Clerk David Orr and Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) in response to our story, “First District County Board Race Pits Union-Backed Newcomer Against Established Incumbent.” Boykin’s website listed both as endorsements. We updated the story and informed Boykin’s staff of the error. 

The race for the First District seat on the Cook County Board is shaping up to be one of the season’s most interesting–pitting the independent and outspoken Democratic incumbent, Richard Boykin, against a progressive, union-backed challenger, Brandon Johnson. The district covers the West Side of the city and western suburbs, and includes both the wealthiest areas in Cook County, as well as those with the highest rates of poverty and crime.