Countdown to Election Day

Early voters are already casting ballots, the formal debates are over, and now Jesus Chuy Garcia released his first TV campaign ad

With less than two weeks to go before the election, the prevailing question is: will Mayor Rahm Emanuel need a runoff, or can he win the race outright?

Early voters are already casting ballots, the formal debates are over, and now Jesus Chuy Garcia released his first TV campaign ad.

Garcia spent more than $600,000 on the ad, a budget that is dwarfed by the more than $30 million in advertising spend of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s campaign.

“He’s given big corporations, $100 million in tax breaks,” Garcia said of the mayor.

During a sit-down interview with Telemundo Chicago Wednesday, Mayor Emanuel was asked if he favors term limits and notes.

"Elections are term limits,” he said.

Afterwards, he responded to questions surrounding the timing of President Obama’s visit to designate Pullman a national park.

“This is kind of like the crowning jewel,” Emanuel said. “There's no doubt it helps Pullman and it’s the first national designation for the city of Chicago."

For four years Emanuel has criticized the failed policies of the past, however this week he sought and received the endorsement of former Mayor Richard Daley.

“He knows the importance of having real solutions and the strength and character to see those through,” the mayor said.

But his opponents have a different take.

After last night’s final televised debate, Garcia said Emanuel was “running scared.”
“Money can't buy you love,” Garcia said, holding up two of Emanuel’s recent mailers in which he was a main target of attack, “Seven, eight, nine, $10 million later it hasn’t purchased him any love, because love isn't for sale in Chicago. People know what the score is."

Candidate Willie Wilson is also running TV and radio ads.

Early voting continues through Feb. 21 before Election Day on Feb. 24.

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