Ald. Joe Moreno announced Monday night he would no longer pursue the Democratic Party nomination for the 4th Congressional District—a seat that will be left vacant by Rep. Luis Gutierrez.
"The past few months have been a whirlwind of activity as the retirement of Congressman Gutierrez took us all by surprise,” Moreno said in a statement. “I have spent many days and nights engaging with my constituents along with voters around the 4th Congressional District and have concluded that I will not be a candidate for Congress.”
Gutierrez's surprising announcement in late November meant candidates had little time to organize. Earlier this month, Alderman Carlos Ramirez Rosa also choose not to run and endorsed Cook County Commissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia.
Moreno said he wished he could “fight the Trump administration” from Congress but his ward’s constituents directed him that he should remain focused there.
"I have the utmost respect for their opinion, and I agree that we have much work to do in Chicago,” he said.
Moreno noted local projects like construction at the Julia C. Lathrop Homes and making changes to the Affordable Requirements Ordinance.
"For these reasons and more, I will focus my efforts at home. I look forward to hearing from the candidates see(k)ing to represent us in Washington and how they propose to lift up the constituents of the 1st Ward, City of Chicago, and suburban communities that make up the 4th District," he said.
Politics
It was not immediately clear if Moreno planned on endorsing any of the other congressional candidates.
Below is the polling information conducted a few weeks ago, by the Ramirez-Rosa campaign, that likely swayed both Aldermen to drop out. Community activist Sol Flores remains on the ballot, as does, Ald. Ray Lopez, and Chicago police Officer Richard Gonzalez.
Garcia 48%
Ramirez Rosa 17%
Undecided 17%
Flores. 11%
Moreno. 5%
Lopez. 1%
Gonzalez. 1%
