At 5 p.m. today the filing deadline passed for candidates interested in replacing Rahm Emanuel in the 5th Congressional District.  In total, 26 candidates filed, including 15 Democrats, six Republicans, and five Greens (see the full list below).  None of the candidates we've so far mentioned in our coverage failed to file, so there were no real suprises. 

As you may have noticed, we've expressed some skepticism about whether Ald. Pat O'Connor is serious about running for the seat.  And if there's anyone we thought might not to file, it was him.  But at 4:59 -- one minute before the Board of Elections office in Springfield closed -- his filing popped up in their online database.  I guess we'll know he's really in when he creates a website.   

DEMOCRATS
Sara Feigenholtz
John Fritchey
Justin Oberman
Charles Wheelan
Victor Forys
Pete Dagher
Jan Donatelli
Frank Annunzio
Carlos Monteagudo
Paul Bryar
Roger Thompson
Tom Geoghegan
Cary Capparelli
Mike Quigley
Patrick O'Connor

REPUBLICANS
Tom Hanson
Jon Stewart
Gregory Bedell
Rosanna Pulido
Daniel Kay
David Anderson

GREENS
Deb Gordils
Mark Fredrickson
Alan Auguston
Mathew Reichel
Simon Ribeiro

Come to the 5th Congressional District Democratic candidate forum on Sunday, February 1