Labor movement leader Dolores Huerta endorsed Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza for Chicago mayor on Wednesday.
"The work of my life has been standing up for workers, immigrants, women, human rights, and civil rights," Huerta said in a video ad announcing her endorsement, calling Mendoza "the next generation to carry on this fight."
Huerta, 88, founded the National Farm Workers Association with Cesar Chavez, a labor union for farmworkers that later became United Farm Workers.
Mendoza is "a battle-tested fighter who champions the little guy and is an experienced, committed and hard-working visionary," Huerta said in the ad, which is running on digital platforms.
Mendoza officially announced her campaign for mayor on Nov. 14, after months of speculation and just over a week after she was re-elected as Illinois comptroller.
She is one of three candidates of Hispanic heritage, among the 21 who filed to run for mayor.
Mendoza faces a challenge to her petitions, filed by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, bringing the validity of her petition signatures under heightened scrutiny.
If upon further examination she falls below the required 12,500 signatures needed to run, Mendoza will not be allowed on the ballot for the Feb. 26 election.
Mendoza is one of 11 candidates who face 16 petition challenges filed by various objectors, with hearings expected to last for weeks leading up to the election.
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Mendoza previously served as an Illinois state representative from 2000 to 2011, then as Chicago city clerk through 2016 when she was elected comptroller.
