Ex-Gov. Pat Quinn endorses ‘Chuy’ García for Chicago mayor; Black faith leaders line up behind Lightfoot

Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn endorsed U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García for mayor on Thursday, spurning his former gubernatorial running mate Paul Vallas.

Quinn flirted with a mayoral run this campaign cycle but dropped the bid.

“‘Chuy’ García has an unrivaled record of delivering for Chicago, and he understands the urgency of now. I endorse Chuy because his plans to bring property tax relief and build a stronger economy are the best in the field and he has the experience to deliver,” Quinn said. “Trust me when I say, it is so important for the city of Chicago to have a worthy advocate in Springfield. And when Chuy says he has the best relationships of all the candidates with Springfield, he’s telling the truth.”

García said of Quinn’s backing: “This is big time. Pat Quinn embodies principled leadership and the people of Chicago trust his judgment. He knows the type of leader it takes to work across government and improve the lives of working Chicagoans. ... Nineteen days to go and our coalition continues to grow. I’m proud to have Gov. Quinn on Team Chuy.”

First elected to the Cook County Board of Appeals in 1982, Quinn ran for a series of higher offices over the ensuing years, ultimately succeeding in 2002 when voters chose him as the Democratic lieutenant governor when Rod Blagojevich was first elected governor. Quinn ascended to the state’s chief executive post in 2009 when Blagojevich was indicted by federal prosecutors on corruption charges and was impeached and ousted by state legislators.

In 2010, Quinn won election as governor, narrowly defeating Republican Bill Brady of Bloomington. But Quinn, with Vallas as his running mate, lost four years later to Republican Bruce Rauner.

Although Quinn is well known throughout the city and state, he hasn’t found much political success in recent years, losing a primary bid to succeed Lisa Madigan as Illinois attorney general and failing to gain traction with his efforts to impose term limits on Chicago mayors.

He is well known throughout the area, however, and García’s campaign hopes the endorsement gives him a boost ahead of the Feb. 28 election, where he and seven others are challenging incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Lightfoot unveiled an endorsement from numerous Black faith leaders, a key demographic for her as she seeks to earn a second term. Lightfoot beamed as she stood with dozens of people in Bronzeville and accepted their endorsement.

Lightfoot’s base of support in the 2019 election was primarily along majority white lakefront wards, but her political base has pivoted to the South and West sides as she seeks reelection.

“She is and has been a friend to the Black community,” New Landmark Baptist Church’s pastor, the Rev. Cy Fields, said.

The Rev. Torrey Barrett criticized unnamed Black candidates he said don’t have a chance of winning for staying in the race.

“Shame on you!” he said.

Another Lightfoot challenger, business owner Willie Wilson, announced endorsements Thursday from more than a dozen Latino faith leaders.