Chuy’s expansion continues

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‘And we’re not done yet,’ congressman vows

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By Tim Hadac

Most observers in the city seemed to agree that U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4^th) would handily win his primary battle with 15^th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez.

They were right. With almost all precincts reporting across the city and nearby suburbs, the veteran politician finished with 38,371 (68%) votes, while Lopez attracted 18,470 (32%) tallies.

Flanked by members of his political machine as he declared victory Tuesday night, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th) invokes the names of Harold Washington and Rudy Lozano—two men who served as highly influential political mentors of his, early in his career. The congressman hinted at further expansion of his political reach when he said, “…and we’re not done yet.” –Supplied photo

But the real question concerned down-ballot races as a test of whether García’s political machine would continue its expansion south of the Stevenson Expressway.

It did.

Not only did State Rep. Theresa Mah (D-24^th) turn back a challenger by a 3-1 margin, she toppled 12^th Ward Democratic Committeeman George A. Cardenas—making García’s takeover of that ward complete. Last year, Cardenas’ hand-picked alderman, Anabel Abarca, was ousted by García’s candidate, Julia Ramirez.

With all 22 precincts reporting, Mah won with 1,376 (45%) to 1,167 (38%) for Cardenas and 548 (18%) for Richard “Ricky” A. Mercado. (Percentages do not equal 100 due to rounding.)

García’s machine also picked up another seat on the Cook County Circuit Court bench. With 130 of 134 precincts reporting in the 14^th Subcircuit (O’Hara vacancy), García’s candidate, Griselda Vega Samuel, captured 12,898 (81%) votes to 3,114 (19%) for McKinley Park advocate Steve Demitro. There is no Republican candidate, making Vega Samuel a near-certainty to be elected in November.

The only place where García clearly lost was in the 15^th Ward Democratic committeeman race, where incumbent Lopez won in a landslide. With 19 of 20 precincts reporting, Lopez had 1,658 (74%) votes to 596 (26%) for García-backed challenger Jorge Agustin.

As predicted by many, García was clear Tuesday night about his plans to continue expanding his political empire.

One big winner Tuesday night was State Rep. Theresa Mah (D-24th). Not only did the McKinley Park resident win her party’s re-nomination to continue serving in Springfield, she toppled longtime 12th Ward Democratic Committeeman George A. Cardenas. –Supplied photo

After starting his victory remarks by calling Lopez’ campaign “hate and the right-wing attempt to hijack this movement,” García said he has been working for 41 years “to dismantle a bad Chicago machine, but we have done it on the Southwest Side…the legacy of Harold Washington and Rudy Lozano and many others is alive tonight, and we’re not done yet.”

In other contested races specific to the Southwest Side, U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-7^th) won his party’s nomination in a landslide with more than 37,000 votes—more than four challengers combined.

Races for the General Assembly were similarly lopsided.

With almost all precincts reporting, State Rep. Angelica “Angie” Guerrero-Cuellar (D-22^nd) won re-election nomination with some 73% of ballots cast. Two challengers split the remainder. There is no candidate on the Republican side.

Similarly, State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. (D-23^rd), a García foot soldier, cruised to victory in his primary race. More than 75% of primary voters cast ballots for him over his opponent, Joseph Edward Mercado.

Newcomer Michael Crawford ousted longtime State Rep. Mary E. Flowers (D-31^st) by a 2-1 margin.

In another contested Democratic Party race, 17^th Ward Committeeman David H. Moore won re-election with about 57% of the vote. He was challenged by State Senator Willie Preston (D-16^th).

In other ballot questions, voters said yes to an advisory referendum about whether the Chicago Lawn (8^th) Police District should be split in half, with Central Park Avenue forming the eastern boundary of a proposed new district.

The question was put before voters in the 13^th and 23^rd Wards and had the support of elected officials there. Of the more than 12,000 voters who weighed in on the matter, more than 85% cast ballots in favor of a new district.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s “Bring Chicago Home” binding referendum lost by nearly 8 percentage points. The plan would have authorized the City Council to raise the real-estate transfer tax on big-ticket properties and fund the fight against homelessness.