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Lopez announces congressional bid, but will he drop out again?

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* Ald. Ray Lopez is a Chicago media darling. He’s one of those people who should teach a class in how to get news coverage for students who don’t really want to accomplish much of anything substantive. But because he receives so much publicity, including regular appearances on Fox News, he has to be taken at least somewhat seriously, even though he dropped out of a congressional race in 2018, and dropped out of the mayor’s race after splashy announcements.

* Sun-Times…

Ald. Ray Lopez (15th), one of the police union’s staunchest City Council supporters, on Tuesday declared his candidacy for Congress against progressive leader U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.

That sets the stage for a showdown in the March primary election between opposite sides of the political spectrum within the Democratic Party. […]

“After walking the district for the past few weeks, I’ve heard directly from residents who feel as though they don’t have a voice in their current representative. They feel that the politics has gotten too extreme. That Democrats have been left out in the cold or marginalized because they’re not taking some of the more extreme positions that we’ve seen come out of the Socialist and super-progressive movements over the last few years,” Lopez said.

“This district … encompasses the Southwest Side of Chicago, but many of the Southwest suburbs all the way into DuPage who still believe in law enforcement. Who believe in accountability and personal responsibility. Who believe in working toward the middle to find solutions for real problems and they haven’t seen that from their congressman.”

I dunno. Pundits said the exact same thing in 2022 when Gil Villegas challenged Delia Ramirez. Villegas was clobbered by almost a three-to-one margin. And Ramirez actually performed better in DuPage County than in suburban Cook and the city.

Also, Lopez doesn’t have a history of raising much money, is far more of a show horse than a work horse (as evident in his media success vs. actual accomplishments in office) and has not won anything outside his own ward.

Stranger things have happened, of course.

* From García’s campaign…

Today, the García campaign released the following statement after the announcement of Ray Lopez’s second attempt to run for Congress.

“Alderman Ray Lopez’s latest run for a new office is nothing more than an attention-grabbing stunt,” said García campaign manager Manny Díaz. “His dependence on Ed Burke, a figure drowning in federal racketeering charges, raises serious concerns about his ethics. Lopez’s long-standing relationship with Burke, which now includes renting office space in the same Burke compound raided by the FBI in 2019, has also extended to a disturbing pattern of allegedly attempting to extort small business owners in his ward.”

“While we prefer to focus on our dedication to serving the diverse communities in the district, it’s crucial to underscore the stark contrast between our integrity and the cloud of corruption in which Lopez has chosen to operate. As he seeks the limelight and skips essential city responsibilities, our dedication to serving our district remains resolute. We prioritize service over theatrics, ensuring that our focus remains firmly on delivering for our municipalities and constituents.”

“The choice is clear: a proven record of integrity, dedication, and results versus a perennial candidate riding on the coattails of Ed Burke, one of the most disgraced politicians in Illinois history. Our campaign’s dedication to serving the people speaks volumes, and we won’t be distracted by political maneuvers.”

About The Election
Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García is a seasoned public servant with a rich history of electoral victories rooted in his unwavering commitment to progressive values and social justice. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, representing Illinois’ 4th Congressional District. In Congress, he has been a vocal advocate for affordable healthcare, immigration reform, housing access, environmental justice, and economic equity. His electoral history reflects a steadfast dedication to progressive ideals and a vision of a more just and inclusive society. Congressman García continues to be a driving force for positive change, both in his district and on the national stage.

Alderman Raymond Lopez has a political history that is marked by controversy. After two prior bids for office, he won his election to become the Alderman of the 15th Ward in 2015. He has made a career off of failed runs for office, adding to his unsuccessful attempt for Congress in 2018 and his sham campaign for Mayor of Chicago in 2023. His political history is marked by controversies, questionable policy choices, and allegations of corruption. His divisive approach to governance and inflammatory statements, including his status as a regular contributor to Republican news outlets, has been a source of concern for many. Alderman Lopez’s tendency to engage in political grandstanding, use of incendiary language, and antagonistic gimmicks have hindered constructive dialogue and cooperation within the city council.

Lopez has a very real, concrete and current Ed Burke problem. No doubt. But Mike Madigan’s trial is coming up next year and the political truce negotiated between the two men hurt García in the mayor’s race.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:20 am

Comments

There is much in Ray Lopez’s past that will be revealed during this campaign and not much of it will be good

Comment by wowie Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:28 am
Marie Newman lives in the 6th district. If both Garcia and Lopez run, she can jump in the race and easily win with the Latinx vote split.

Comment by Early voter Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:31 am
===He’s one of those people who should teach a class in how to get news coverage for students who don’t really want to accomplish much of anything substantive.===

This wins the day. Whew.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:33 am
“Ald. Ray Lopez is a Chicago media darling. He’s one of those people who should teach a class in how to get news coverage for students who don’t really want to accomplish much of anything substantive.”

The trick to constantly getting on Chicago TV: Keep repeating conservative, sky-is-falling talk points.

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:33 am
Garcia’s lackluster mayoral campaign should give Lopez hope.

Comment by RIP Terry Deering Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:35 am
A video from ABC 7 showing a driver doing donuts outside the Chicago Theater quickly went viral last night, and as per usual, Lopez was quick to piggyback, saying this lawlessness was a direct result of Chicago Police being unable to pursue suspects under the punishing rule of “the Left.”

A couple hours later, video shot from across the street showed CPD vehicles blocking off State Street on either side of the theater, patiently waiting for Donut Boy to get his zoomies out and collect his tickets and/or charges.

There has been no comment from Lopez on the latter video.

And here’s a friendly reminder that Rich has Lopez on record as wanting to defund the police to the tune of sixteen hundred sworn officer positions in order to stave off a city budget crunch.

Good luck in the campaign, Ray. Maybe you, Paul Vallas, and Jim Oberweis can start a club. (Those two will very quickly uninvite you from it.)

Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:36 am
===easily win===

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:38 am
What a great example of a show horse vs. a work horse. Why oh why would anyone want to subject themselves to the hellscape of Congress at this moment? You can get far more done for your community as an alderperson.

Comment by The Young Gov Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:38 am
===Garcia’s lackluster mayoral campaign===

I think it was lackluster because his heart wasn’t fully into a run for mayor. He seems to like being in Congress, tho.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:40 am
==Garcia’s lackluster mayoral campaign should give Lopez hope.==

Even in a lackluster showing Garcia still comfortably carried his Congressional district.

Comment by Ucci Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:43 am
Ald. Lopez news today, forgotten about tomorrow. Ok so let’s get back to discussing the important stuff like the Chicago migrant crisis, crime, unemployment…etc.etc.

Comment by Pizza Man Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:43 am
Lopez received a couple of large contributions towards his mayoral campaign, one of which was just days before he dropped out of that race. Maybe he’s trying to drum up some cash again.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:44 am
This has got to be profile-raising for something else.

I am not remotely an expert on Latino-Hispanic Chicago politics, and I know Chuy would crush him.

Comment by ZC Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:49 am
=== Marie Newman lives in the 6th district. ===

1. Please stop with the Marie Newman for Congress stuff.

2. Chuy doesn’t represent the 6th District, he represents the 4th District. Because Congresspeople aren’t required to live in their districts, Newman could run against Chuy. She wouldn’t have a chance in heck of winning though.

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:23 pm
Newman lives in Chuy’s district and chose to run against Sean Casten. She knew where the best chance was. The Latinx vote will not split anywhere near enough for her to win. She’s not going back her people need to stop.

Lopez raising money for Congress doesn’t help him as whatever he receives he can’t use for any other office. Fed campaign money has to stay separate from state/city money. So not a real benefit. Mostly just another news cycle with his mug on TV for a couple of days.

Comment by Frida's boss Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:35 pm
===whatever he receives he can’t use for any other office===

Not true. It’s the other way around.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:44 pm
——Not true. It’s the other way around.——-

So he can drop down his Congressional money if he decides to drop? My mistake I didn’t think the money could move either way between State/city and Fed. If he can drop down those funds go for it….Run Ray Run sn/

Comment by Frida's boss Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:52 pm
For whatever it’s worth, Newman is currently listed as a 2024 candidate for IL-6. According to FEC disclosures.

Comment by Ucci Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:34 pm
I know so much about Ray Lopez. That’s my comment.

Comment by Chris in ChiTown Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:35 pm
== the race “needs a moderate leader to match the moderate views” of 4th Congressional District voters. ==

That’s rarely a winning strategy in a primary these days — for either party.

Comment by Roman Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:50 pm
I went & did a Google search for Marie Newman’s FEC account. She terminated the account; she has not raised or spent any funds since 2022. If she wishes to be a candidate for the CD-6 or the CD-4, she will need to have an active FEC account & raise donations.

Comment by Chris in ChiTown Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 3:36 pm
Garcia was forced into the mayor’s race by his peers and got in way too late. Not saying he would have won, but would have had a better showing if it was something he actually wanted to do.

And those that think Lopez will split a “Latinx” vote… using the term Latinx will do more splitting than Lopez.

Comment by Melido Perez Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 3:44 pm
==Chris in ChiTown==

Go to the FEC website and go to compare candidates. Not saying she intends to run, but she is listed as a candidate for 2024.

Comment by Ucci Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 4:01 pm
Melido, Chuy wanted to run. He is a IL Democrat Party central committee member and he waited until the General Election was over.

Can we talk about the problem? When a TV station had a candidate forum, they would invite all 9 candidates. That gave a candidate a very short time to answer a complicated question. If you based your conclusion of Chuy not wanting to be in the campaign based on how he handled the forum questions, perhaps blame the TV station.

Comment by Chris in ChiTown Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 4:01 pm
Ucci-

Her FEC account from 2020 & 2022 is terminated. It was terminated on June 26, 2023. If she is presently a candidate, she will need to start another FEC account & start to raise donations.

The Termination Report link is below.

https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00636670/1708879/

Comment by Chris in ChiTown Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 4:10 pm
==Chris==

All of which is true. But here is what I am referring to.

https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/house/IL/06/2024/

Comment by Ucci Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 4:40 pm
I find it interesting Garcia’s team stating he’s running for theatrics. Chuy has been an Alderman, a Senator, a County Board member, and a Congressman, plus twice defeated Mayoral candidate. If anyone is into political theatrics I would assess it’s Chuy.

Comment by Frida's boss Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 9:31 pm