* NBC…
Mayra Macías is a lifelong Democrat and Chicago native who has worked on Latino advocacy and promoting former President Joe Biden’s agenda. She announced her candidacy Wednesday to run as an independent in Illinois’ 4th Congressional District. If elected, Macías said she would caucus with Democrats.
“I’ve really focused my whole career on building and serving and making sure that we’re fighting for quality education, health care and affordable housing,” Macías said. “Under the Trump administration, we’re seeing a lot of this progress rolled back.”
[Democratic Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García’s] surprise retirement announcement in early November created a firestorm and drew a rebuke from his own party. His plans were known only to his chief of staff, Patty Garcia (no relation). Because the congressman announced his retirement after the filing deadline, Patty Garcia was the only one to file the required signatures before the deadline to run as a Democrat in March.
But there is still time to run as an independent in a general election, with signatures not due until May. Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, another potential candidate, confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Times that he launched a committee to explore a run as an independent.
Reuters…
In an interview, Macías credited Gluesenkamp Perez for bringing attention to the issue and said she is eager to engage voters and let them know they will have a choice next fall.
“We can’t turn a blind eye to anti-democratic practices here in our own backyard because they’re perpetuated by our own party,” she said. “We have to hold each other accountable if we’re seeking to uphold our democratic institutions and the democratic process nationally. We can’t just do it when it’s convenient.” […]
She highlighted affordability, immigration and democracy as key planks of her campaign and framed herself as a fighter who will stand up to President Donald Trump’s administration to protect those in her Latino-heavy district.
“Seeing the impact, or sometimes what feels like the lack of impact, members of Congress have, I did think deeply about this decision,” Macías said. “It’s rooted in wanting to make sure that I’m fighting so that people like my family don’t feel like they work hard and they keep working harder and yet things are getting more and more expensive because of Trump’s tariffs and there’s no respite in sight.”
According to the State Board of Elections, Marías and Sigcho-Lopez would need 10,816 valid signatures to run as Independents. They could collect up to 17,304 signatures.
*** UPDATE *** Very important list…
Today, Progressive Democrat Patty García announced a broad coalition of labor support, including new endorsements from unions representing over 1.5 million members in Illinois and nationwide (see below), underscoring García’s long-standing partnership with labor. Their support reflects her long-standing advocacy for protecting workers’ rights, strengthening collective bargaining, and expanding economic opportunity for working Americans.
“I am honored to receive the support of the hardworking men and women who keep our communities running every single day,” said Patty García. “In Congress, I will fight for fair, livable wages, safer workplaces, stronger unions, and an economy that uplifts workers. We’re building a campaign rooted in the workers and families of this district, and I’m proud to have labor by my side.”
Labor Coalition Endorsing Patty García for Congress:
LIUNA Laborers’ Local 4
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWED)
Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council
Teamsters Joint Council 25 (JC25)
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS)
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)
SEIU Illinois State Council,
SMART Transportation Division
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET)
Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)
“Patty has a long history of standing with unions and workers,” said Thomas Stiede, President of the Teamsters Joint Council 25. “Patty has fought for increased wages, affordable healthcare, and lower costs for working families being squeezed by the affordability crisis. Patty will attack the challenges confronting working families head on and our members will work hard to elect her the next Congresswoman from Illinois’ 4th.”
“Some might think Patty is a new face, but trust me: those of us who know her know that the 4th Congressional office wouldn’t run without her,” said Brenda Bedolla, City and County Political Coordinator for SEIU. “She’s not new to the work. Patty García has been the backbone behind Congressman Chuy García’s success.”
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Politico…
—In IL-08: Yasmeen Bankole has been endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus PAC in her bid for Congress in Illinois’ 8th District.
— In IL-07: State Rep. La Shawn Ford has been endorsed by state Reps. Carol Ammons, Michael Crawford, Fred Crespo and Thaddeus Jones in his bid for Congressman Danny Davis’ seat.
— Also in IL-07: Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin has been endorsed by Ald. William Hall and Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry in her bid for Congress.
— In IL-02: Patrick Keating, a trial and appellate attorney, is kicking off his campaign Thursday for the Democratic primary for Congress in the 2nd District.
* The Sun-Times…
U.S. Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi on Tuesday released a lengthy economic policy blueprint that includes a nationwide free lunch program, expanding the child tax credit and helping first-time homeowners get a refundable tax credit.
Krishnamoorthi’s “Restore the American Dream” plan includes policies for all stages of life — from children to those in retirement. The fundraising leader in the heated race to replace outgoing Sen. Dick Durbin in August unveiled a “Trump accountability plan” for his Senate campaign that includes pushing to restrict ICE agents from wearing masks and introducing constitutional amendments to block self-pardons and a potential presidential term.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are also vying for the Durbin seat. Kelly in September released an economic policy blueprint aimed at affordability that calls for taxing the ultra rich, raising the minimum wage and expanding Medicare. And Stratton in October released an economic agenda that includes expanding Medicare and bringing Illinois Birth Equity Initiative to the federal level to reduce maternal mortality.
Just as with the bulk of Kelly and Stratton’s plans, the success of many of Krishnamoorthi’s policy positions rely heavily on Democrats being able to clear substantial measures through the Senate.
* US Senate Candidate Juliana Stratton…
GOP US Senate candidate Don Tracy’s response…
In yet another X post today, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton repeats her campaign talking point that she rejects corporate PAC money. Right around the same time she made her initial pledge, however, billionaire Governor JB Pritzker launched a super PAC for the benefit of her campaign. It’s just another political maneuver.
Here’s how the game works: Stratton repeats her talking point about refusing corporate PAC contributions while Pritzker builds the PAC infrastructure behind her. Direct donations to her campaign face federal limits and require public disclosure. The Illinois Future PAC? Unlimited amounts, anonymous donors (aka:“dark money”), zero accountability for Stratton.
“Stratton and Pritzker are running a political two-step on Illinois voters,” Don Tracy states. “She makes the pledge. He builds the machine. Stratton keeps her hands clean with public promises, while Pritzker’s operatives do the heavy lifting through the Illinois Future PAC.”
Voters hear “no corporate PAC money” and think they’re getting reform. Meanwhile, special interests and lobbyists give her unlimited money through Pritzker’s super PAC.
“Career politicians like Pritzker and Stratton know exactly what they’re doing: maintaining the same power structure while telling voters they’re getting something different.
“I am running for Senate because I’ve had enough of Illinois and Chicago Democrats’ political double-talk, and I believe Illinoisans have too. It’s time we had a strong leader in Illinois who focused on doing the right thing and standing up for Illinois working families rather than continuing to play these tired political games.”
* More…
* The Intelligencer | Seven questions with Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi: He said he’s seeking “a promotion” to the Senate to expand the effects of his core mission — ensuring that the opportunities his family found in the United States remain accessible to future generations. He’s running on a platform that focuses on lowering the cost of living, expanding career and technical education, and reining in corporate consolidation. He also wants to reform executive power and increasing oversight of federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
