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* Press release…
Sen. Bernie Sanders is endorsing Cook County Commissioner Jesús “Chuy” Garcia in the Democratic primary race to represent Illinois’ 4th Congressional District. Garcia, who served as a national Latino surrogate for Sanders in his 2016 quest for the Democratic Party nomination for president, said yesterday he would run for the U.S. Representative seat after the current U.S. Rep. Luis Gutiérrez announced he was retiring and backing Garcia to replace him.
“‘Chuy’ Garcia is the right person at the right time for the work we have ahead of us,” Sanders said. “He is ready and willing to stand up and fight for the working families of Chicago and our nation and take on the powerful special interests who have far too much power over the economic and political life of our country. He is also an experienced legislator who has risen up the ladder of Chicago’s brawling politics. That makes him well groomed for jumping into the House’s rough and tumble political battles.
“There will be no learning curve when Chuy gets to Washington. He served on the Chicago City Council, he was the first Mexican-American in the Illinois state Senate and he is currently serving on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. As an immigrant who has embraced his adopted homeland, he will be a fresh voice in Congress.
“And with his strong ties to the Puerto Rican community, he will be a strong ally and powerful advocate for our ‘Marshall Plan’ legislation to rebuild and renew that island.”
Sanders noted that the need to have a voice for immigrants on the national stage becomes more urgent every day, as the March 2018 withdrawal of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) protection for undocumented young people draws near and the Trump administration continues to escalate immigration raids, check-ins and deportations.
Garcia said he was looking forward to joining the new wave of progressive, national Democratic Party leaders, inspired by Sanders. He said he was aligned with the senator on virtually all of his key issues, including a strong program for rebuilding Puerto Rico, health care for all, immigration reform, boosting access to higher education and fiscal responsibility with a tax system where everyone pays their fair share.
“I support America, a nation of rich cultural heritage and unmatched strength, whose founding fathers believed in building bridges, not walls,” Garcia said. “I champion opportunity for all as an ally of independent Sen. Bernie Sanders. I will do everything in my power to move the nation forward on these crucial issues.”
* Related…
* Race Already Heating Up to Replace Rep. Gutierrez: Six candidates are scrambling to get onto the ballot in time for the March primaries, when the race will truly begin to replace the retiring Gutierrez.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 9:23 am
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The further Chuy is from Chicago the better. DC is great for him!
Comment by Ron Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 9:30 am
The signatures these candidates are getting will be so bad, at most 25% valid. If you can’t get 4,000 signatures in your hands by Monday morning don’t bother driving to Springfield.
Comment by Fax Machine Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 9:37 am
Voter in the 4th here. The anointing process following timed resignations here in IL is among our most toxic political practices. I definitely will not be voting for Chuy–even though I mostly agree with him politically.
Comment by Not Buying It Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 9:41 am
I do think this is a position more suited for Chuy than Mayor. I do like him and wish him well. Very frankly, there ought to be 2 Latino seats and we could get rid of the most ridiculously drawn district in the country (and that’s saying something)
Trading Chuy for Luis is like getting 2 in a way.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 9:48 am
So Bernie passes on endorsing the actual DSA member? And instead endorsed his opppnent? I get he owes Chuy but dang what a slap in the face to the organization you claim you’re trying to help build.
Comment by Union proud Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 10:02 am
I like Chuy. I think he would be good in Congress. I am also annoyed by how this has gone down. The timing was clearly an attempt to make it hard for anyone else to get on the ballot. I really hope there are a few solid candidates that can file and raise some money so there is a real discussion about who is best to fill the seat.
To the Sanders endorsement, I wonder how much that actually helps. All politics is local, and Bernie is certainly not local.
Comment by Montrose Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 10:03 am
Anything to get Chuy out of Chicago. Congress for him is fine with me.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 10:10 am
So when’s he endorsing in the Gubernatorial primary?
Comment by Doofman Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 10:18 am
Bernie needs to concentrate on the 2020 primary and not get involved with local politics. This was all engineered. The voters need to decide who will fill these seats and not the politicians! #Carlos4Congress
Comment by Matt C Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:04 am
Lol… Come on Matt C…. If Rosa would’ve gotten Bernie’s endorsement his supporters would be parading in the streets. You can’t have it both ways and Bernie is allowed to endorse whoever the heck he wants and you can still vote for someone else. Luckily we live in a democracy.
Comment by FDB Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:14 am
Carlos Ramirez Rosa is a terrible aldermen and a poverty pusher.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:22 am
Ramirez wants to stop development in his ward. Luckily he is not popular and will likely lose the next election.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:23 am
For those complaining about the timing and process — and I agree — but is anyone else surprised Luis withdrew on the first day of filing instead of the last with Chuy right behind him in line to file? I get though that it might have been hard to keep Chuy circulating petitions prior to that a secret.
Comment by Just Observing Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:26 am
@Ron Not sure where you are coming from. Carlos might not be popular in the retirement homes and golf clubs but he is popular in the streets and with Bernie supporters. I’m sure Chuy forgot to mention that to Bernie. You will be surprised to see how competitive this race will become.
Comment by Matt C Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:51 am
Matt C, I don’t like Chuy or Ramirez. And I have no idea what people in retirement homes or golf clubs think as I am in neither.
I do know that Ramirez is a terrible anti development poverty pymp though.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 12:10 pm
Ramirez is a rent control proponent isn’t he? Reason enough to can him.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 12:27 pm
Ramirez is now downzoning a huge commercial strip in his ward because somehow building new housing and economic development is bad.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 12:28 pm
==Very frankly, there ought to be 2 Latino seats and we could get rid of the most ridiculously drawn district in the country (and that’s saying something)==
Agreed, but it would probably come at the expense of the African American district “the most ridiculously drawn district in the country” surrounds.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 12:55 pm
As African Americans continue to flee en masse, my guess is they will have to lose an IL seat in the next round of redistricting.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 1:11 pm
It must sting just a tiny bit that Carlos didn’t get Bernie’s endorsement. While his supporters will say this is a “people’s movement,” it won’t be without Bernie’s national money.
Further, Carlos must also be worried if he thought he could secure the north side vote now that Sol Flores is in the race, and whatever little Moreno will get.
Finally, Carlos’ base will support him without question, and that’s why that’s his base, the fact is that he’s done absolutely nothing as alderman and only shows up when it’s convenient for him and his image.
The only saving grace Carlos will get is if he can convince SEIU or CTU to bank his campaign.
Comment by LaPolitix Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 6:18 pm