Chuy García
Jesús G. "Chuy" García (born April 12, 1956) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. He is the member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 4th district since January 3, 2019.[1]
Chuy García | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 4th district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Luis Gutiérrez |
Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from the 7th district | |
In office January 3, 2011 – November 30, 2018 | |
Preceded by | Joseph Mario Moreno |
Succeeded by | Alma Anaya |
Member of the Illinois Senate from the 1st district | |
In office January 1, 1993 – January 1, 1999 | |
Preceded by | Howard W. Carroll |
Succeeded by | Antonio Munoz |
Member of the Chicago City Council from the 22nd ward | |
In office March 25, 1986 – January 1, 1993 | |
Preceded by | Frank Stemberk |
Succeeded by | Ricardo Muñoz |
Personal details | |
Born | Durango, Mexico | April 12, 1956
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Evelyn Garcia (m. 1980) |
Children | 3 |
Education | University of Illinois, Chicago (BA, MUP) |
Website | Government website |
Early life
García was born in Mexico in the state of Durango. Garcia worked at the Legal Assistance Foundation from 1977 to 1980 as he worked towards a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago.[2]
Political career
Garcia was elected to the Chicago City Council in 1986, and in 1992 became the first Mexican-American member of the Illinois State Senate. In 2010, Garcia won election to the 7th district Cook County Board of Commissioners, and after his election was appointed floor leader by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle.[3][4] A progressive and a reformer, García is a Preckwinkle ally and was a supporter of former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington.[5][6]
2015 mayoral candidacy
A candidate for Mayor of Chicago,[3] Garcia finished second in the February 24, 2015 mayoral election, forcing a head-to-head runoff vote between himself and the current mayor Rahm Emanuel. He lost the run-off election by carrying 44.28% of the votes.
U.S. House of Representatives elections (since 2019)
On November 27, 2017, just 6 days before the final day to file petitions to run for the office, Congressman Luis Gutierrez pulled his petition for re-election in the 2018 race effectively ending his congressional career.[7] The next day Garcia signaled his intention to run for the position. During Gutierrez's Press Conference, he endorsed Garcia for the position.[8] The next day, Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Garcia.[9]
He won the Democratic nomination in March 2018.[10] He would go on to win the general election in November 2018 beating Republican Mark Lorch.
In February 2020, he announced his support for Bernie Sanders' second presidential candidacy.[11]
2023 Chicago mayoral candidacy
In November 2022, Garcia announced his second candidacy for mayor of Chicago in the 2023 election, challenging incumbent mayor Lori Lightfoot.[12]
References
- "Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia wins IL District 4 House seat, replacing Luis Gutierrez". ABC News. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- Fremon, David (1988). Chicago Politics, Ward by Ward. Indiana University Press. pp. 146–151.
- "Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia joins mayor's race". WGNTV. October 28, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
- "Will Chicago Progressives Unite Behind Chuy Garcia, Rahm's 11th-Hour Challenger?". In These Times. November 12, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
- Angela Caputo (February 19, 2010). "Jesus "Chuy" Garcia On Beating The Machine". Progress Illinois. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
- Paul Merrion (December 20, 2010). "Can Garcia's run for mayor fire up independents?". Chicago Business. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- Ahern, Mary Ann. "Gutierrez to Announce He Won't Seek Re-Election: Sources". NBC Chicago.
- Pathieu, Diane; Gallardo, Michelle; Horng, Eric (28 November 2017). "Rep. Luis Gutierrez not running for re-election, endorses Chuy Garcia". ABC7 Chicago.
- "Bernie Sanders endorses 'Chuy' Garcia's bid to succeed Rep. Gutierrez in Congress". Chicago Tribune. November 30, 2017. Archived from the original on November 30, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- "Illinois Primary Election Results". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- Doughton, Sandi (20 February 2020). "Rep. Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia endorses Bernie Sanders, will rally Latino voters in Nevada". chicago.suntimes.com. Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
- "Chuy's in: Garcia makes another run for mayor of Chicago". Chicago Sun Times. November 10, 2022.