Valles receives endorsements from education leader Gery Chico and Alderman Walter Burnett
Former CPS Board President, State Board of Education Chairman Gery Chico backs Vallas. Chicago Walter Burnett of the 27th Ward endorses Paul Vallas in his run-off election April 4, 2023 against rival Brandon Johnson
Vallas for Mayor is announcing its second key endorsement of the runoff campaign, this time earning the support of former Chicago School Board President, State Board of Education Chairman and mayoral candidate Gery Chico, announced on Friday.
West Side Chicago Ald, Walter Burnett from the 27th Ward is also expected to make an endorsement of Vallas on Saturday. The endorsements for Vallas continue to grow. Vallas received the endorsement of former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White on Thursday.
Chico joins legendary former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White in endorsing Vallas and reflects the growing consensus that Paul Vallas is the right choice to be Mayor.
“Paul Vallas is unequivocally the most qualified candidate to be mayor,” said Chico.
“Throughout his time in city government and leading our public schools he has taken on tough challenges and delivered real results for the people of Chicago. I know Chicagoans will make the right choice on April 4th.”
Vallas and Chico worked closely together during their years of collaboration as CEO and Board President of Chicago Public Schools. That collaboration resulted in increased student test scores, labor peace with no teacher strikes, expanded enrollment by over 33,000 students and almost $1 billion in surplus for the district.
“When Gery Chico and I worked together at Chicago Public Schools we raised test scores, built new schools in underserved neighborhoods and created what President Bill Clinton at the time called a national model for public education,” said Vallas. “We’re building a broad coalition in this campaign and with leaders like Jesse White, Gery Chico and more standing beside me, I feel very proud of the team we are putting together.”
Vallas also thanked Chicago Alderman Walter Burnett of the 27th Ward for his endorsement.
Paul Vallas officially received the endorsement of Alderman Walter Burnett and the 27th Ward Democratic Organization that he leads this morning at the group’s headquarters. The event was also attended by Alderman Burnett’s political mentor, former Secretary of State Jesse White, who endorsed Vallas earlier this week.
“I know that Paul Vallas will be a Mayor that all communities in our city can trust and count on, and I’m excited to join his team today,” said Alderman Burnett. “Paul will continue the important investments being made on the West side and work to uplift every community in our city as Mayor, and I will work with him to make it happen.”
Vallas was also endorsed this week by former Chicago School Board President and mayoral candidate Gery Chico, and the campaign is making strong progress in building a broad, diverse coalition of supporters who agree with his push to make the city safer, improve schools and invest in underserved communities.
“I’ve known Alderman Burnett for many years and his commitment to his constituents and the neighborhoods he serves is absolute,” said Vallas. “As one of our city’s most respected Black leaders, Alderman Burnett’s endorsement is a critical step forward for our campaign to further demonstrate that I will be a Mayor for all of Chicago.”
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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