Only two candidates are on the ballot for Illinois State House, 10th district, in the west side of Chicago. They are the Democratic nominee, Derrick Smith; and Lance Tyson, an independent candidate whose ballot label is “Tenth District Unity.” Tyson is endorsed by many Illinois Democratic leaders, including Governor Pat Quinn and Secretary of State Jesse White. See this story. The Democratic nominee is embroiled in legal difficulties, although some of the difficulties existed before the March 2012 primary and Smith still won that primary.
Tyson certainly will poll over 5%, and that will cause the “Tenth District Unity Party” to become a qualified party within that legislative district for the 2014 election. It will be entitled to its own primary.
It amazes me that so many incumbent politicians who have legal issues get renominated anyway.
I wouldn’t expect the “Tenth District Unity Party” to have much of a future in any event. If Tyson wins, he will presumably run as a Democrat next time. And if Smith wins and manages to stay in office until the next election, then his opponents will focus on challenging him in the Democratic primary.
If anybody ever runs as a “Tenth District Unity Party” candidate again, I will be surprised.