Rick Ingram, openly gay candidate for alderman of the 44th Ward, last week criticized the contesting of nominating petitions for three of his opponents in the Feb. 25 election. Six candidates submitted petitions, and three are under review. Ingram alleges that objections were filed against Matt Fordham, Karen Kennedy and Ivan Vilcins by what appears to be a supporter of the race’s sixth candidate, Dean Maragos. Observers worry that the gay community’s vote will be split between Ingram and Tunney, thus allowing a third challenger to win. If one candidate does not receive more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote getters will face a run-off.