Alderman Raymond Lopez announces he will not run for mayor

Alderman Raymond Lopez, one of Chicago’s most progressive and dedicated city leaders said Monday that he will not run for mayor of Chicago in order to avoid weakening the challenges to incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Lopez is one of only two Hispanics who was considering running, along with Congress Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. Lopez said he will instead run for re-election as alderman of the 15th Ward where he has advocated for the most honest, progressive and pro-voter policies the city has seen in decades.

But Lopez has been on the frontlines of confronting Lightfoot’s failures including her inability to prevent the rampaging crime across the city that has resulted in record homicides.

The decision by Lopez to step aside in order to help another stronger candidate lead the city is both honorable and praiseworthy. His decision to act in the greater good of the City of Chicago is so unusual in Chicago’s landscape of selfish politics.

Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez courtesy of Twitter

Lopez stated on his Twitter account, “For the good of the city, I will not be running for mayor. A crowded field only serves to benefit the mayor. Lightfoot must be defeated to save Chicago.”

Here is Alderman Lopez’ announcement.

After spending months traveling the city and collecting nearly 26,000 signatures for my mayoral bid, I have decided against running for mayor. With every new challenger that enters the race, the odds of Lori Lightfoot making it into a runoff, possibly even winning reelection, grows.

Chicago has survived many things over its existence, but it will not survive another four years with this mayor chasing headlines to cover up her nonstop bouncing from bad decision to bad decision.

This race has never been about me or any political ambition. It has always been about standing up for the city I love, saving it from the protest-vote mayor. In order to help voters choose from a narrower field, I am putting the city first and removing myself from contention.

We must defeat Lori Lightfoot. Period.

I do know, however, that this campaign has given me an extraordinary opportunity to see many new neighborhoods from a very different lens. The last several months have produced new friendships, new ideas and a renewed love and excitement for the ward I call home.

Today I announce my intention to seek a third term as Alderman of the 15th Ward. My residents overwhelming supported me in the past and did so again by coming together quickly to get the necessary signatures to file today.

I remain committed to the ideals and proposals I shared during the past several months. As a returning alderman I look forward to helping guide our City Council further into the 21st Century, welcoming a potentially record-setting number of new members, and assisting a new mayor that prioritizes faith, family, opportunity and security in every community.

I must thank they thousands of people across Chicago who supported me, believed in me, and helped me in this moment. This was not an easy decision. It is emotional and difficult for all of us; however, the pain of seeing Lightfoot survive politically would be worse.

God Bless Chicago and Have a Great Thanksgiving,

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Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

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