* Choosing a running mate is the most important decision of any gubernatorial campaign and Sen. Biss blew it. Badly. From a press release…
Statement from Daniel Biss on Lieutenant Governor Selection
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and I have reached a difficult decision about our ticket. As of today, I’ll be moving forward with a new running mate.
Growing up with an Israeli mother, grandparents who survived the Holocaust, and great-grandparents who did not survive, issues related to the safety and security of the Jewish people are deeply personal to me.
I strongly support a two-state solution. I support Israel’s right to exist, and I support Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people. I also care deeply about justice for Palestinians, and believe that a vision for the Middle East must include political and economic freedom for Palestinians.
That’s why I oppose the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, or BDS, as I believe it moves us further away from a peaceful solution.
When I asked him in the interview process prior to his selection, Carlos said he too supported a two-state solution and opposed BDS.
Since we’ve announced his selection, we have been asked about his position on BDS. After much discussion, it’s become clear that Carlos’ position has changed. While I respect his right to come to his own conclusions on the issue, it simply wasn’t the understanding we shared when I asked him to join the ticket.
In light of this, we have agreed that I will be moving forward with a new running mate. It was not an easy decision, but it was the right decision.
The values that I was raised with have fueled and shaped my public service. I’m running for governor to create a more fair and just community. That’s why I’m fighting for health care for all, a tax system that calls on the rich to pay their fair share, and good schools for every child in every neighborhood. Carlos and I agree about these issues and I am glad that he will continue fighting for these progressive causes in his role as alderman.
We’ll have news in the coming days about how we move this campaign forward—because we will move forward. The upcoming election is too important, and the future of our state is at stake. Illinois’ middle class and working families are hurting, while the rich and well-connected have a monopoly on power. We have the opportunity, this year, to move our state in the right direction and build a progressive future together. And I’ll do everything I can to make sure that’s exactly what we do.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the Bernie Sanders group…
Statement from Our Revolution Illinois/Chicago on Biss Campaign Lt. Governor Reversal
On August 31, we were excited to learn that gubernatorial candidate Sen. Daniel Biss selected progressive Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa as his running mate. It showed his understanding that the Bernie wing of the Democratic Party must be heard in the upcoming gubernatorial primary. Today, we are disappointed and shocked to learn that Sen. Biss has chosen to drop Ald. Ramirez-Rosa from the ticket.
Ald. Ramirez-Rosa was a delegate for Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2016 presidential election and is a leading progressive voice in the Chicago City Council. We are proud of Carlos for the integrity he has shown in standing by his convictions as a strong and unwavering advocate for working families. We believe he was an excellent candidate for Lt. Governor and are saddened that his voice will be missing from Sen. Biss’ campaign.
With Carlos on the ticket, many were encouraged that important issues like Medicare for all, the fight for a $15 minimum wage, affordable childcare and free college tuition would be part of the agenda for Illinois. These issues that resonate deeply with working families and millennials were central to the Bernie Sanders campaign–and are the reason he won 79 of 102 counties, 11 of 18 congressional districts, and almost a million votes in Illinois.
Clem Balanoff & Abdelnasser Rashid
Co-Chairs, Our Revolution Illinois/Chicago
…Adding… Some tick-tock…
*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…
Following is a statement by Carlos Ramirez-Rosa on his departure from Daniel Biss’ ticket:
“While I was honored to be chosen as Senator Daniel Biss’ gubernatorial running mate, it became clear over the past few days that while we share a total commitment to peace, security, and statehood for the Israeli and Palestinian people, and both oppose pursuing BDS at the state level, the difference of opinion we have on the role the BDS movement plays at the federal level would make it impossible to continue moving forward as a ticket.
I was asked to join the ticket to even more strongly advocate for the critical issues facing this state, such as medicare for all, a $15 living wage today, affordable childcare, and free college tuition. While I am no longer part of the ticket, I have every confidence that Senator Biss and I, in our different roles, will continue to be strong advocates for these progressive issues.
I especially want to thank the members and organizational leaders of Reclaim Chicago, Our Revolution IL, and Democratic Socialists of America, and the thousands of activists who have shown their commitment to addressing these critical concerns for their confidence in me, and their continued work on these progressive issues. There is so much work to be done, and I am proud to stand by your side while we continue to build our progressive movement.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** The Democratic Socialists stand up for one of its own members…
* Related…
* Schneider withdraws support for gubernatorial candidate Biss
* Jewish pols in Illinois clash over a running mate’s Israel stance
* June, 2016: Sanders Delegate: Climate Change and the Israeli Occupation Must be Raised at the Convention - Carlos Ramirez-Rosa tells Paul Jay that a progressive victory in the White House must begin with wins at the local level: “You know, I have not heard much discussion about the relationship of the U.S. with Israel, with divesting from Israel to support the people of Palestine. Not a lot of that was discussed this weekend. And I think that’s a conversation it needs to be had.”
