Mayor 1% just got a taste of the 99%
Jon Green, Working Families
Rahm Emanuel, Mayor 1% of Chicago, has been forced into a runoff election by progressive challenger Jesus “Chuy” Garcia!!
Chuy Garcia held Rahm Emanuel to just 45% of the vote, so now Rahm has to face him one on one on April 7th for the first mayoral runoff election EVER in Chicago.
But this isn’t just about Chicago. What happens over the next six weeks will decide whether the Democratic Party will back politicians who pander to corporate backers or candidates who truly fight for the people in 2016.
Taking down Rahm Emanuel, one of the most powerful corporate Democrats, will have a ripple effect across the nation -- showing Democrats that they need to stand with working families if they want to win in 2016.
It's the ultimate test. We have six weeks to make sure every voter who wants to take back Chicago -- and the Democratic Party -- for working families shows up for Chuy Garcia on April 7th.
Chuy is able to hold Rahm’s feet to the fire because he supports policies that benefit working families, not corporations -- like investing in public education instead of closing 50 public schools.
Voters are supporting these progressive policies across the board. Seven progressive City Council candidates have won their races outright, and five more are headed to tightly contested runoff elections. That means no matter who wins the mayoral race, they'll have to work with a strong Progressive Caucus in the City Council.
This is the plan that United Working Families and Working Families supporters across the country like you helped put into action:
1. Challenge Rahm in the Mayor's Race. We forced Rahm into a run-off election against Chuy. Now Emanuel's big money politics will have to face off against great progressive ideas.
2. Expand in the City Council. Seven progressive candidates have won their elections outright, with five more in hotly contested runoffs -- so all in all, we could see the Progressive Caucus to expand to 12 members. The City Council will have an even louder voice for a city that works for everyone.
3. Build United Working Families. Today's election proved that progressive organizations can hold elected officials accountable. Now, United Working Families is working to defeat Rahm Emanuel and build for the long term -- recruiting and training the next generation of candidates.
Thanks for all you do.
Jon Green
Deputy Director
reply@workingfamilies.org