CHICAGO _ U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez on Tuesday said he won't seek re-election, saying he's "writing the last chapter" of his life and wants to spend it helping to rebuild hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.
"I love Puerto Rico, and she's in a lot of pain. And there's a lot of people that have turned their backs on her, and she needs to be rebuilt," the Illinois Democrat said, choking up. "And I cannot be here in the 4th Congressional District and rebuilding the home of my mom and my dad, where my wife was born, a place that I love so much."
Gutierrez said he's "going to leave Congress at the end of my term in 2019, but I'm not retiring. I'm not giving up on the fight for equality for Latinos, women ... and the whole range of progressive issues I've been fighting for."
Gutierrez, a veteran Puerto Rican independence advocate, has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration's response to the heavy damage inflicted there by Hurricane Maria in September. The congressman visited the island to deliver food and supplies from Chicagoans. Gutierrez said people who wanted to leave should be allowed to fly to the mainland and receive help getting resettled.
Gutierrez, however, said he has "absolutely no intention, any desire whatsoever to be governor of Puerto Rico."
The explanation came as Gutierrez held a news conference at a Chicago restaurant to endorse Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia as his successor in Congress. The room was decorated with a picture of the late Mayor Harold Washington with Garcia. Gutierrez also was part of Washington's coalition during the 1980s.
Gutierrez said he was not leaving the district without "a champion."
"I would not have made this decision unless there was somebody who could step up and give new life to the agenda in Washington," the congressman said of Garcia. "I'd be a candidate for re-election ... if Jesus Garcia had not agreed to run."
For his part, Garcia talked about the need to fight for immigrant rights against the culture of fear that some are fomenting in Washington.
"The Chicago immigrant eats fear for breakfast every morning," he said. "When your history is that you risk leaving all you know for a better life, fear and hardship is something that you take in stride."
Garcia cited his experience working with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on the new political revolution, "creating a just democracy for all Americans."
Gutierrez, an immigration reform advocate with a high national profile on the issue, has been in Congress since 1993 and is in his 13th term representing the 4th District. He turns 64 next month.
Word of Gutierrez's decision trickled out Monday night, sending politicians with pent-up ambition scrambling to put together bids for Congress and, to a lesser extent, for Garcia's County Board seat.
Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th, reiterated that he'd heard "the rumor" about Gutierrez, and if he "is retiring, I will begin circulating nominating petitions tonight." Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno, 1st, stopped by City Hall to show reporters his nominating petitions.
Meanwhile, 22nd Ward Alderman Ricardo Munoz plans to runs for Garcia's county board seat, sources said. Another candidate is Alex Acevedo, the son of former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo. The younger Acevedo lost a primary bid for a state House seat now held by Rep. Theresa Mah.
Gutierrez's departure from Congress also could impact the 2019 mayor's race. Garcia forced Mayor Rahm Emanuel into a runoff election in 2015. Garcia lost, but in recent weeks told the Chicago Tribune he was contemplating a mayoral bid in 2019. Winning a spot in Congress likely would remove him as a potential opponent to Emanuel.
Two years ago, Gutierrez backed Emanuel for mayor over Garcia and others in the field. Now Gutierrez is supporting Garcia as his successor to Emanuel, an illustration of how fast the pragmatic political winds in Chicago can change.
Asked about backing Emanuel over Garcia for mayor on Tuesday, Gutierrez said Garcia got in the contest late, and he already had signed up to help lead Emanuel's campaign.
Garcia, asked if he'd cut a deal with Emanuel to back him for mayor in exchange for the chance to run for Congress with Gutierrez's backing. "No deals," Garcia said. "Absolutely not."
Pressed on the matter, Garcia said he will not endorse Emanuel for mayor in 2019.
Gutierrez informed Emanuel of his decision Monday afternoon when the two recorded a joint radio interview in the mayor's office, said a source with knowledge of their meeting. Emanuel also joined Gutierrez for a tour of the Humboldt Park Welcome Center for Puerto Rican evacuees who departed the U.S. territory in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
Gutierrez's decision marked a swift change from Monday morning, when his campaign filed paperwork to secure a spot on the March 20 primary ballot, and Garcia filed to seek re-election to the County Board.
Time is running short for the candidates to get out and circulate nominating petitions, with a Dec. 4 deadline looming for both Congress and the county board. Both offices require gathering less than 1,000 signatures, however, making it a doable feat for experienced politicians.
Gutierrez was among a half-dozen Democrats who introduced articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump earlier this month.
