* This has been expected. Press release…

Edgar Gonzalez, Jr., a young community activist, organizer and constituent services staffer for Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, was appointed to the 21st District State Representative seat Friday evening at a meeting of the Democratic Legislative Committee of the 21st Legislative District. The seat was previously held by former State Rep. Celina Villaneuva, who withdrew from the race in order to pursue Sen. Martin Sandoval’s abruptly vacated 11th District State Senate seat, and was appointed to that position Tuesday night.

“I’m so honored to have the opportunity to build on Sen. Villanueva’s legacy of fighting for progressive values. I wish her luck and look forward to following in the progressive path she has charted in the House of Representatives,” said Gonzalez. “Like Sen. Villanueva, I am committed to advocating for working families and immigrant families like my own, and I will bring that approach to my work every day in Springfield representing the communities of the 21st State Representative District.”

Gonzalez is the only candidate that will appear on the March 17, 2020 Democratic primary election ballot for the position, filing nearly 1000 petition signatures with the Illinois State Board of Elections last December on short notice.

Gonzalez was born and raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood on the Southwest Side and attended Chicago Public Schools, including John Spry Community School and Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy, both in Little Village, as well as Whitney Young Magnet High School. Gonzalez, a recent Harvard University graduate, is a vice president of the 22nd Ward Independent Political Organization. Gonzalez is a member of Congressman Garcia’s in-district constituent services staff, focusing on the areas of immigration, social security, veterans’ affairs, criminal justice and education. Gonzalez is the son of immigrants from Monterrey, Mexico. His father is an operating engineer and a member of IUOE Local 399 and his mother is a former member of SEIU Local 73.

At 23, Gonzalez will be the youngest Latino and youngest Democrat ever elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, and he is the youngest appointee.

“My appointment as a young Latino is a historic first for state of Illinois, and I believe that now, more than ever, we need young, engaged voices to be represented in Springfield,” said Gonzalez. “Every day, our legislature is making critical decisions that impact my generation–from immigration policy to education policy to criminal justice reform. I’ll be a committed, progressive voice for young people and for all working families.”

As stated in the release, Gonzalez faces no primary opposition.