But before voters get a chance to decide her permanent replacement next year, eleven Democratic committeepeople representing wards that include a portion of the 20th district will select Pacione-Zayas’ replacement on Monday through a weighted vote. The vote will follow an interview session at Hamlin Park Fieldhouse. 

Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, who is chairing the selection committee, announced Saturday that eight candidates applied for the post.

“We have received a promising slate of candidates, and we look forward to evaluating their applications at the open meeting on July 10,” Waguespack said in a statement.

At least four of the applicants appear to be contenders for the seat unless a deal is brokered to accommodate the political factions to stave off a contested primary.

Graciela Guzmán, a former staffer to Pacione-Zayas, has the support of the same Northwest Side progressive organizations and elected officials that have mounted win after win in recent years and intend to keep the seat. 

She’s expected to run for the seat next year with the support of the same labor unions and ground soldiers that helped secure the fifth floor for Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Dr. Dave Nayak told Crain’s in June he would compete for the primary regardless if he is appointed Monday and doubled down on that commitment last week by loaning his nascent campaign $90,000 to jumpstart the effort, according to the Illinois Board of Elections.

Several sources involved in the process have confirmed that Iris Martinez, 33rd Ward Committeewoman and Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court, has been campaigning for Natalie Toro, who finished third in the Democratic primary for the Cook County Board of Commissioners and was endorsed by the relatively conservative Martinez and the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police. 

But the wildcard that could upend the appointment is State Rep. Jaime Andrade, a former aide to machine stalwart and former alderperson Dick Mell, who nonetheless won his seat with the backing of the same progressive faction that has thrown its support behind Guzman.

Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, said Andrade’s interest in jumping from the House to the Senate throws “a wrinkle” in the nomination because of his name recognition and backing from labor unions. 

Martinez and Waguespack hold just under 50% of the weighted vote, meaning if they support the same candidate, they could make the appointment by aligning with just one other committeeperson. 

Members of the selection committee told Crain’s Martinez is driving the process and it is highly unlikely anyone will win the appointment without her support. 

Martinez won her race for the Clerk of the Circuit Court without the endorsement of the Cook County Democratic Party and is currently battling to win the endorsement for her reelection bid without the support of party boss and Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle.

Waguespack has not told the selection committee who he is supporting, but he’s unlikely to go along with the progressives pushing for Guzman after being forced out of his role as chair of the City Council’s Finance Committee and publicly criticizing Johnson

While the progressives have shown they are a dominant electoral power, they don’t have the necessary votes to make the appointment by themselves on Monday.

The four other applicants include Daisy Navar, another progressive who was a member of SEIU and previously worked for Cook County Commissioner Anthony Joel Quezada, and election attorney Ross Secler.