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* There’s been lots of talk over the past couple of weeks that Chuy Garcia would definitely run for mayor of Chicago. Fran Spielman reports otherwise…
But on Monday, Garcia gathered his kitchen cabinet together to tell them that he had decided not to enter the mayor’s race in spite of the “Draft Chuy” movement launched by retiring U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Chicago).
At least part of Garcia’s reasoning has to do with money.
Last time, nearly all of the $6 million he raised came from progressive unions: the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Local 1.
This time, SEIU Local 1 was firmly in Preckwinkle’s corner. And the CTU was non-committal and expected to remain so.
“Without SEIU or CTU, where would his money have come from,” said a source familiar with Garcia’s decision-making.
“He would have been forced to forge a brown-white coalition with the business community. His old friends—the people who have been with him since the `70’s and `80’s—were not comfortable with that. That didn’t want to do that.”
Discuss.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Chuy…
I’ve seen the mustaches projected on the buildings — and I can’t thank you enough for your faith and confidence in urging me to run for mayor of the city we all love. A special thank you to the hundreds of volunteers circulating petitions for me to run. I am truly moved.
The last few weeks have been a time of internal reckoning. My preparation to go to Congress was, for a moment, halted at the news that the city would have a wide-open opportunity to elect a new mayor. I’ll admit I was tempted to make another run — the last run shook things up and I believe led to a major shift in recent city and state elections, namely Aaron Ortiz, Alma Anaya, Beatriz Frausto-Sandoval and Delia Ramirez. I couldn’t be more proud of them.
I love this city. I love its complexity, its diversity, energy and its ever-changing issues and opportunities. It’s also a city in deep crisis with savage inequality and broken relationships between communities and police and of course continuing fiscal problems.
But in the final analysis, I sincerely believe I can do more for my city now in Washington. This decision is not about ascendancy or political positioning; it is about integrity and what I feel I can do for my city in Congress.
Chicago desperately needs federal help to tackle our infrastructure and transportation issues. Our city’s immigration crisis can be solved only by Congress. Guaranteeing the rights of women and gay citizens and other minorities will be secured only through congressional action.
Chicago needs a mayor who is beholden to no one. We need mayors and congressional representatives who are persuaded by one thing: the best idea in the room. And we need lots of best ideas, whether in the form of a Marshall Plan or something better, we need bold ideas that will improve education, public safety, health care, infrastructure, transportation and whatever it takes to bring economic vitality into neighborhoods that are breeding grounds of hopelessness. We can no longer abide hearing a teenage boy say he doesn’t expect to live past 25.
I look forward to the election on November 6. To be in Washington at a time when I can oppose the direction the Trump administration is taking this country is a calling I am compelled and invigorated to take on. Dreamers are waiting for Congress to act; immigrants who have so much to offer our nation are waiting for Congress to act; citizens who have still not recovered from the recession are waiting for Congress to act. I’m ready to get to work.
To Chicago’s next mayor, I say this: you must make bold changes that will unsettle those comfortable with the status quo. Only through a transformational agenda with deep neighborhood investment will Chicago become a city that works for everyone.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Toni Preckwinkle…
“I am very grateful for the good work that Chuy Garcia has done on the County Board as my floor leader advocating for working families. He has been an ally helping enroll over 400,000 people to our County health system. I know that Chuy will continue advocating on behalf of our shared priorities for immigrants, women, and seniors in his new role as Congressman,” said mayoral candidate Toni Preckwinkle. “I continue to look forward to our work on behalf of all Chicagoans.”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 12:11 pm
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As someone who voted for him in the primary last time:good. The field is already too crowded.
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 12:15 pm
I think it would have been hard for Chuy to define himself. He was the anti-Rahm last time. Without Rahm as his foil, I am not sure what he runs on. I think he is making the right call.
Comment by Montrose Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 12:24 pm
He’s trying to build a new power block, but it’s still in the early stages. He would have looked like he didn’t want the congressional seat that was engineered just for him; would have been bad for his other candidates. Best to hold and then run for Preckwinkle’s seat if she wins the mayorship or help one of his folks into her old seat.
Comment by lakeside Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 12:24 pm
== He was the anti-Rahm last time ==
Much easier to define oneself as the anti-Rahm when it’s Bob Fioretti and Willie Wilson sharing votes, not in a field with a Daley and Preckwinkle. Smart move, Chuy would have been smoked
Comment by Anon Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 12:30 pm
WWSD? (what will Susana do?)
Comment by anon Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 12:37 pm
Rich - if you don’t know, “Richard J. Daley” just put a vulgar insult in his 12:33pm post
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 12:38 pm
I spoke to people who were circulating for him along with Latino Aldermanic candidates. There was actually some resistance to sign because a lot of people were confused about him running for Congress and Mayor and who would become the Congressman etc.
Comment by Grand Avenue Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 12:52 pm
He’s got an opportunity to collect a big ole pile of chips with who he does support. Might put him into a position to become the top Illinois Democrat….if he lives long enough.
Comment by A guy Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 1:02 pm
The mustache goes better with the earmuffs.
Comment by City Zen Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 1:04 pm
At the moment this is how I see the race playing out–subject to change depending on my alcohol content.
Preckwinkle makes the runoff.
Mendoza jumps in but doesn’t make runoff.
Daley has jumped in, but his porridge and the water may be too cold so he’ll jump out.
Vallas makes runoff, but this is as much of a hope as a prediction.
McCarthy gets into drunken brawl with suburban cops–wait that happened in New Jersey years ago and COULDN’T happen again.
Maybe Gainer jumps in?
I dunno.
Only thing I feel confident about is Preckwinkle making runoff.
Comment by IrishPirate Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 1:22 pm
Awww. Poor politician. Can’t run for office because he can’t rely on the campaign donations generated by unions whose only source of funding is taxpayer dollars.
Comment by Just Me Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 1:24 pm
I’m not surprised, Preckwinkle crowded him out. One of the first thing’s she mentioned in her announcement speech was support for an elected school board. Without CTU Chuy was going nowhere. I agree with A guy, his endorsement will carry huge weight. These days he is the man with the golden endorsement and backing winners in this cycle will perpetuate that.
Comment by TopHatMonocle Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 1:25 pm
@Just Me, .
I’m sorry, but I consider the voluntary contributions I make to my union’s PAC my dollars from my income I’ve earned as a state employee not taxpayer dollars
Comment by Steve Polite Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 1:31 pm
I suspected he would not get in. To my mind, US rep is a much easier job - fewer constituents to keep happy, less likelihood of ending up owning something terrible. I even think US rep is a better starting point for US Senator (or some other higher office) than mayor of Chicago, if that’s what he wants to do.
Comment by Actual Red Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 2:23 pm
Is anyone else bothered by the Brown-White coaition comment? I thought Mayor of Chicago was Mayor of every resident regardless of race.
Comment by BigLou Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 3:23 pm
===Mayor of every resident===
It’s a campaign strategy, not a governing one.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 3:33 pm
I give him a week before he announces support for Preckwinkle. They’ve likely cut some kind of political deal.
Comment by Shytown Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 3:40 pm
I guess the “…were not comfortable with that.” comment about the friends is what bothers me. Like he’d be making a deal with the devil.
Comment by BigLou Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 3:51 pm
FWIW, this isn’t accurate:
**Last time, nearly all of the $6 million he raised came from progressive unions: the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Local 1.**
This isn’t accurate, and makes most of the rest of the story inaccurate. SEIU Healthcare supported Chuy, not Local 1. And Local 1 has supported Preckwinkle, but Healthcare has not yet.
Comment by SaulGoodman Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 5:01 pm
–Might put him into a position to become the top Illinois Democrat….if he lives long enough.–
Huh?
It’s Monday, dude. Time to taper off the Jewel/Osco brand vodka.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 1, 18 @ 6:35 pm