* Press release…
Despite urging from people he listens to and respects, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, D-4, has said he has decided not to run for mayor of Chicago and is launching a drive to draft Cook County Commissioner Jesús “Chuy” Garcîa for the job.
“First, I want to thank the hundreds of you who have called to offer support and encouragement for me to run for mayor of our great city,” Gutiérrez said. “Because of my unending respect for all of you, I’ve listened carefully and believe me, from the bottom of my heart, I am honored.
However, he said he has made two important promises in the months since he announced his retirement from Congress.
“Not too long ago, I made a promise to my daughter, Jessica, who is running for alderman in the 30th ward that I would put her future first. … “She is carving her own path as a young, independent progressive leader, and a part of the exciting new movement coming to the forefront across our nation. The last thing I want to do is undermine her independence or undercut her avenues for success. I’m a dad first.”
And, while he loves Chicago, he said his heart is with Puerto Rico, the home of his parents, and he has promised to “be the guy” to help “abolish” Donald Trump and rebuild Puerto Rico.
“Puerto Rico deserves my time and my energy and I will not rest until my work there restores it to its proper place as a home for hard working people and a haven for prosperity,” he said. But “Rebuilding Puerto Rico can’t be done with Donald Trump as president.”
So, in order to “tear down Trump’s second wall that is denying over 900,000 immigrants citizenship,” Gutiérrez will take up the gauntlet and crisscross America, as a national spokesperson on behalf of the National Partnership for New Americans and continue his trademark firebrand work on immigration and refugee rights.
Finally, Gutiérrez urged his supporters, and those who worked for García four years ago, to help draft the commissioner for another mayoral run. “Chuy took us almost far enough four years ago bringing a new spirit of independence and honesty that survived his defeat. It’s time to let his vision be fulfilled.”
He noted that he and García began as children of the movement that elected Harold Washington, who “said no to hatred and bigotry and yes to equality … and Chuy can make that happen and heal the city.”
“We are going to form an exploratory committee and start circulating petitions this weekend,” Gutiérrez said. “If Chuy doesn’t have petitions out, I will print them myself. I know how to spell his name.”
*** UPDATE *** Chuy Garcia press release…
First, I want to thank Congressman Gutierrez for his confidence and support in my ability to lead Chicago and to serve as a bridge to unite our increasingly divided city. And, certainly, as a father, I understand his decision and admire the love he has for his daughter and unwavering support to the people of Puerto Rico.
Calls and messages have been coming in from people all over the city urging me to run, including Congressman Gutierrez. And, I want to thank everyone for their encouragement and support from the bottom of my heart.
As I take a closer look at the Mayor’s race I will continue to dialogue with Chicagoans from across our great city to talk about solutions that will both unify us and improve everyone’s quality of life. While we have great challenges ahead of us we also have an opportunity to bring peace to a city that has been too much at war with itself. And, I look forward to forging that peace together.
* Related…
* Rep. Luis Gutierrez won’t run for Chicago mayor, calls on Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia to seek the office instead: Garcia, who has been running for the congressional seat Gutierrez will vacate, could not be reached Wednesday morning for comment on his plans. As Gutierrez pushed Garcia for mayor, Garcia was nowhere to be seen at the county board meeting. He was present earlier in the morning for committee meeting, but went back to the offices and didn’t reappear.
* Gutierrez won’t run for Chicago mayor; will try to draft Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia
* U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez not running for mayor
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 1:46 pm:
Need a whole separate scorecard for candidates who are jumping their current/soon to be office for this job. Who’s next?
- Anon - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 1:50 pm:
I saw today an article about Rahm setting up a commission towards implementing a universal basic income in Chicago.
Will this be a flash point in the mayoral race? Seems like Chuy would definitely be in favor of such a thing.
Is Rahm greasing the skids right now to help any particular candidate, or just as a vanity project?
No mention of course was made of how it would be paid for, but the idea of a city in such debt expanding into an entitlement like this just struck me odd.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 1:54 pm:
a few weeks before Rahm announced he wasn’t running I discovered his podcast. it is in a word, terrible. I think it is clear if Chuy or Preckwinkle were to win they would offer the citizens a much better mayoral podcast.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 2:07 pm:
Luis Luis, oh baby, me gotta go.
- Gooner - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 2:19 pm:
Four years ago, Chuy was THE alternative. It was either Chuy or Bob Fioretti.
However, being the alternative was the limit of his resume. He never showed any great understanding of issues facing the city and overall was a pretty poor candidate.
This, with it being so early and a wide open field? I don’t see how he’s anyone’s choice. There are far more knowledgeable alternatives.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 2:20 pm:
47th: It’s Classic Rock Lyric Day?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 2:25 pm:
Is this game called alley oop or hot potato?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 2:33 pm:
If Chuy wants to run, he should.
More the merrier.
Wonder how his negatives are city-wide after losing 4 years ago?
- Montrose - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 2:37 pm:
Chuy would definitely have a leg up on folks having run a real campaign so recently. I hope one of the lessons they learned is that they need a lot more money, even if they aren’t competing against Rahm’s money.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 2:45 pm:
Just run or don’t. I think these so-called “listening tours” and supposed droves of people clamoring for any politician to do anything are largely in their own swollen egos. They’re not listening to Joe average voter, they’re seeing if the pol support and the money is there.
- Boone's is Back - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 2:48 pm:
This doesn’t seem coordinated between Chuy and Luis at all…
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 3:16 pm:
Sure sounds like Garcia is running.
What does he have to lose? I don’t think his GOP opponent for Congress is much of a threat.
I mean, the dude has a facebook page where he posts stuff like whiny columns from former BTIA(TM) types about how they really weren’t fired last summer.
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 3:20 pm:
Chuy would be better off imho by staying kingmaker instead of running for Mayor…Doesn’t have the credentials to make a serious run…
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 3:44 pm:
–Chuy would be better off imho by staying kingmaker instead of running for Mayor…Doesn’t have the credentials to make a serious run…–
44.3% of the vote in the runoff last time isn’t a bad start, for credentials.
- Shytown - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 3:49 pm:
== This doesn’t seem coordinated between Chuy and Luis at all…==
Understatement of the year. Question is, who else are they actually coordinating with…there’s a lot more to this story.
- Really? - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 4:21 pm:
““Not too long ago, I made a promise to my daughter, Jessica, who is running for alderman in the 30th ward that I would put her future first. … “She is carving her own path as a young, independent progressive leader, and a part of the exciting new movement coming to the forefront across our nation. The last thing I want to do is undermine her independence or undercut her avenues for success. I’m a dad first.””
Too bad MJM didn’t feel that way about Lisa. Should would have been Governor today…
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 5:15 pm:
Word: this is now, that was then…
- Druid Eye - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 6:11 pm:
Chuy has the experience from his last run. He is by far the top Latino Vote Drawer amongst the group. He will be hard to beat.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 6:37 pm:
Chuy’s in. Interesting to see how this campaign will compare to the one he ran in 2015.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Sep 12, 18 @ 9:10 pm:
Chuy ran a strong campaign against a very well funded opponent. Given the 44% he pulled last time I wouldn’t bet against him given the field even if Preckwinkle throws her hat in.