Nov 10, 2022 - Politics

"Chuy" Garcia to enter mayor's race

Monica Eng

Candidate standing before crowd — Chuy Garcia rallies a crowd during the 2015 mayoral campaign. Photo: Joshua Lott/Getty Images

With the midterms in the rearview mirror, it's time to focus on the mayoral election arriving in just three months.

Driving the news: U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is expected to join the crowded field running against Mayor Lori Lightfoot today after he won re-election Tuesday night.

Garcia picked today because it's the 40th anniversary of Harold Washington's historic announcement of his mayoral campaign.

Context: Garcia served in the City Council under Washington and then as a Cook County Commissioner. He joined the U.S. House in 2019, succeeding Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who retired.

Garcia ran for mayor in 2015 against Rahm Emanuel, forcing a runoff but ultimately losing.

What we're watching: A progressive Democrat, Garcia was a party delegate and Bernie Sanders supporter.

But it's unclear if he can secure the endorsement of progressive powerhouses like the Chicago Teachers Union, which is already behind Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson.
And SEIU Local 73, the powerful public service union, endorsed Johnson yesterday after backing Garcia in 2015.

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"Chuy" Garcia to enter mayor's race

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