March 10--Mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia got the endorsement of the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Monday as both the challenger and Mayor Rahm Emanuel compete for the crucial African-American vote ahead of next month's runoff election.
Jackson cited Garcia's "consistent track record of service" including his work with Harold Washington, Chicago's first African-American mayor. Jackson also said his support of President Barack Obama, who has endorsed Emanuel, had no bearing on endorsing Garcia.
"This is not about President Obama and me, it's about Chuy and Rahm Emanuel. It's about whether there's a plan for reconstruction," said Jackson, who did not directly criticize Emanuel during his remarks.
"We've been blessed to know Chuy over the years," said Jackson, who added that Garcia would "assume the burden of responsibility to work with us to reconstruct where we live."
Garcia and Jackson appeared at a trash-strewn Englewood lot as the challenger promised to revitalize city neighborhoods he argues Emanuel has neglected at the expense of downtown.
"Neighborhoods have been left behind by this administration," Garcia said Monday during a news conference near Halsted Street and Marquette Road.
"The vacant lot behind us is indicative, it underscores that failed policy," the Cook County commissioner said. "People in Chicago neighborhoods want the attention of a mayor and a City Council who understand what it will take to ensure neighborhood revitalization all over Chicago."
Winning black votes is key to the April 7 city election. Garcia has worked to stoke frustrations over economic disparities and Emanuel's decision to close dozens of public schools.
Jackson and Garcia walked a short portion of Union Street following their remarks, examining the block's crumbling buildings and surprising a group of residents with a photo-op on the front stoop of their row house.
"I'm tired of seeing these abandoned buildings like this," said Nathaniel Strong, 40, after he watched Garcia and Jackson pose for photos. "It ain't getting better, so hopefully this will help it get better."
"Clean up the neighborhood," Strong said. "Help this neighborhood get better, especially for the kids."
jjperez@tribpub.com
