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Gutierrez: Guzzardi proponents are working to cut number of legislative Latinos

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* I’ve heard some grumblings from some folks about this very topic, but nobody has really brought it out in kinda/sorta public until now…

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) is helping the re-election campaign of state Rep. Maria Antonia “Toni” Berrios (D-Chicago) with a robocall in which he says Berrios is opposed by “those who want to silence Latino voices.”

Berrios faces a primary challenge in Tuesday’s election from Will Guzzardi, who nearly unseated her two years ago and now has the backing of several prominent Latino elected officials.

“I’m outraged that there are groups working to reduce the number of Latino public servants in the state legislature at a time Latino voices should be stronger,” Gutierrez says in the recorded message to voters in the Northwest Side’s 39th Illinois House District. “They want us to be weak … Stand up to those who want to silence Latino voices and support Toni Berrios.”

Some other Latino politicians clearly do not see the race in the same way as Gutierrez — with Guzzardi, who is white, winning endorsements from state Sen. Willie Delgado (D-Chicago) and Ald. Joe Moreno (1st).

It’s gonna get even uglier before it’s over. Bank on it.

…Adding… Gutierrez, you may recall, was with GOP Rep. Skip Saviano in 2012. He’s not been in good graces with the Madigan folks since then, so it’s an interesting little move by him. Also, one of the ways the HDems neutralized Gutierrez in 2012 was to point out that he was Puerto Rican and the district’s Latino voters were from Mexico. Remember Sen. Sandoval getting led out of a community meeting by the coppers while he was shouting about this “issue”? So, now the congressman is basically doing the same thing.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:14 pm

Comments

Gutierrez makes the Jackson clan look like pikers when it comes to playing the race card.

Comment by LincolnLounger Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:17 pm
Then again, I’ve tried polling this district recently and nobody wanted to answer the phone. So, I’m not sure many will even hear this robocall.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:21 pm
What do you think turnout will be on Election Day?

Comment by March Madness Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:25 pm
According to the congressman’s logic, no Latino should ever be replaced by a non-Latino, regardless of the respective merits of the candidates.

Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:27 pm
MM, the Berrios side will have to literally drag people to the polls unless they can fire up this racial thing.

Guzzardi probably has more motivated supporters, but there is almost nothing else on the ballot to vote for there.

While trying to avoid a tired cliche, this really will be a street fight. Maybe literally. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:29 pm
As Daffy Duck would say:

Dethpicable!

Seems like slander and race baiting are the “best” uses of robo calling.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:30 pm
Lincoln Lounger, when have the Jackson’s ever played the race card?

Comment by East Side Eddie Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:30 pm
She ain’t gonna get the grimy mechanic vote. That’s for sure.

Comment by Dan Bureaucrat Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:35 pm
Both campaigns are going to need;

“Walking Around” money
“Bail Fund”

This type of race is fun to be in the precincts to watch, but not so much “fun” being on one side or another…

Getting “counts” at noon or 3… Yikes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:39 pm
I’m trying to imagine, in the year 2014, who doesn’t immediately hang up on a robocall and get angry at the person who sponsored it.

What a lack of imagination.

Luis and the Berrios crew, huh? I’d think for any informed voter who ain’t on a clouted payroll, that would be enough motivation to go the other way.

Remember back in the day when Luis was the guy who beat Fast Eddie’s guy in the special election to give Harold control of the council? He was a goo-goo hero back then.

Luis sure has seen his opportunities over the years and took them.

A carpenter buddy of mine who did a lot of work for Rezmar (Rezko), spent a lot of time shaping up Luis’ real estate investments when he was making a boatload flipping houses.

Buy low from a pal, sell high to another pal. It’s all kosher.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:43 pm
Guzzardi wins with 54%

Hipsters turn out, low information voters stay home.

Comment by Melo to Da Bulls Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:43 pm
People were scratching their heads when the Tribune said to vote out Berrios in 39 to say no to clout while at the same time endorsing Andrade in 40 who was clouted in by Daddy Mell.

It’s simple - the Tribune would have been called racist if they endorsed a white candidate over a Hispanic in both 39 and 40, so since Toni Berrios is their archenemy Joe Berrios’ daughter and Andrade voted for the pension bill, they picked Andrade out of the 2

Comment by Johnson Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:45 pm
Guzzardi has some REALLY motivated supporters, but he doesn’t have too many people (let’s be real, it’s a state rep race and if you’re not plugged in to politics you really don’t care much). But both sides spending crazy money makes me think the winner gets less than 51%

Comment by Johnson Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:48 pm
The race stuff disgusts me. Glad it’s being called out. Can only imagine if someone came out saying “How dare they try and reduce the White voice in the legislature!”

Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:49 pm
Rich,

There’s also a county board race of Luis Arroyo Jr v Edwin Reyes (backed by Preckwinkle). So the Berrios people and the Arroyo people will be teaming up to drag people to the polls for the kids

Comment by Johnson Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:53 pm
Is the call in Spanish or English? If English, then it creates a backlash and doesn’t reach the targeted voters. Spanish does the opposite.

Comment by Don't Worry, Be Happy Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:55 pm
==The race stuff disgusts me. Glad it’s being called out. Can only imagine if someone came out saying “How dare they try and reduce the White voice in the legislature!”==

You must have been born yesterday.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 5:13 pm
Rich not to talk my own book here but the only other race that’s being contested in the area is Reyes v. Arroyo for Cook County Board 8, which features two Latinos.

So conventional wisdom would indicate higher or at least less depressed Latino turnout than whites.

Comment by Will Caskey Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 5:16 pm
Hello Rich, this was too good to pass up..You finally get it from ME…I am a STRONG endorser of my friend Will Guzzardi..you all out there know that I back issues and not individuals…the 39th rep.district runs along side of my senate district..WILL represents a true independent voice for the voters…Reduce Latino representation? Well Rep. Burke should be careful cause Gutierrez sees it only one way….isn’t his district like 80percent Latino? Oh wait what about his brother Alderman Burke..should he go too Luis? I focus on issues that are important to the everyday working family…get past the politics, it’s about policy, it’s not the color of your skin or the race, it’s about being PROGRESSIVE without conditions. BTW Gutierrez supported RICH Bradley over Iris MARTINEZ ??

Comment by William"Willie" Delgado Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 6:01 pm
The lack of Latino representation in government at all levels is an issue. I know many are uncomfortable with bringing it up during a campaign or using it as a campaign strategy, but it is a real issue. I wish that would get a little more discussion.

===Can only imagine if someone came out saying “How dare they try and reduce the White voice in the legislature!”===
When the white representation is disproportionate to the white representation than you can make that comparison. Until then, it isn’t the same thing.

Comment by Latina in Politics Monday, Mar 17, 14 @ 10:46 am