[1][3] The main issue of the elections was the influence of Mayor Thompson over the City Government and individual aldermen.

"[5] The reform-minded Chicago Tribune and Municipal Voter's League endorsed candidates based on their perceived independence from Thompson.

In particular the race for the so-called "Bloody Twentieth" ward had been marked by the murder in April 1928 of African-American reform candidate for committeeman Octavius Granady during the Pineapple Primary.

[5] Many of Thompson's closest allies, including his former African-American floor leader Louis B. Anderson of the 2nd Ward, retained their seats.

Prignano, whom the Municipal Voter's League had extolled as "the best alderman [the] ward has had in many years," to William V. Pacelli, a candidate fronted by the Ellers, who were implicated in Granady's murder.