Citing need for ‘new, inclusive leadership,’ Chuy García files for Chicago mayoral race

Progressive Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García on Monday filed his nominating petitions for mayor of Chicago, submitting signatures from nearly 50,000 residents of Illinois’ biggest city.

García, a Democrat in his second term representing Illinois’ 4th Congressional District, announced his second mayoral run earlier this month. In 2015, he forced a runoff with former Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who is seeking another term, and 6th Ward Ald. Roderick Sawyer, the son of former Mayor Eugene Sawyer, also submitted signatures on Monday—meaning there are officially nine contenders.

“Our city is at a crossroads,” García said in a statement. “We have an opportunity to elect a trusted and experienced leader with a history of building coalitions and a vision for a brighter future for all Chicagoans. We deserve safe communities, equitable schools, affordable housing, as well as opportunities for economic and environmental justice—and that requires new, inclusive leadership that reflects the city of Chicago.”

Lightfoot, meanwhile, filed more than 40,000 signatures Monday morning. Addressing her decision not to wait until later, the mayor told the Chicago Sun-Times that “it’s not about the last spot, the positioning on the ballot, as if you are an unknown and people don’t know you. They know who I am.”

“And our voters are going to find us,” she added. “So we wanted to get this done this morning, get our folks geared up and ready for the next leg of the journey. And I’ve actually got a city to run as well, so getting back to the business of the people.”

The other mayoral candidates are state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-26), activist Ja’Mal Green, Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, 4th Ward Ald. Sophia King, former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, and businessman Willie Wilson.

Originally published at Commondreams.org.