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Karen Lewis Endorses Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia for Mayor

By Mina Bloom | October 31, 2014 6:24pm
 Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is running for mayor, and won the backing of Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis.
Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is running for mayor, and won the backing of Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis.
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Jesus "Chuy" Garcia for Chicago/Facebook

CHICAGO — Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis she endorsed Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (7th) in the Chicago mayor's race in a video posted to YouTube Friday.

"I'm convinced the city is going in the wrong direction," she said in the video, adding that the city needs "real leadership."

"Chicago needs a mayor who has the moral courage to do what's right for all of the city," Lewis said. "That is why I'm throwing my full support behind Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia."

Garcia, a former Southwest Side alderman and state senator, announced his candidacy for mayor earlier this week.

Lewis went on to say that Garcia is a "committed" and "effective" public servant, and has been for the last 30 years.

"He's a consensus builder and a man of the people," she said. "If he is elected as our mayor, I know he will work for all our citizens, not just the corporate elites and special interests who seek to privatize our public assets."

Until she was hospitalized earlier this month, later disclosing a brain tumor, Lewis, a feisty union boss, was expected to challenge Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

In 1992, Garcia became the first Mexican-American elected to the Illinois senate. He was elected 22nd Ward alderman in 1986, and was a supporter of Mayor Harold Washington.

Garcia is the sixth person to challenge Emanuel. Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) announced his candidacy last month, joining former alderman Bob Shaw, West Side activist Amara Enyia, radio host William Kelly and police officer Frederick Collins. Earlier this summer, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, thought by many to be Emanuel's most formidable opponent, said she would not run for mayor.

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