Openly gay Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa ( 35th Ward ) said in a Nov. 28 statement that he would begin circulating petitions to run for Congress should U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez ( D-4 ) announce that he would not be running in the upcoming election.
Such an announcement did indeed come from Gutierrez the afternoon of Nov. 28. At a press conference, the veteran Congressman, who's been serving since 1993, said he would be stepping down to channel his energies into helping immigration-rights causes as well as efforts to rebuild Puerto Rico. Gutierrez further endorsed Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia as his replacement.
But Ramirez-Rosa said he's ready to throw his hat in the ring as well.
"Since the rumor [of Gutierrez stepping down] began circulating, I have heard from so many supporters in the 4th District asking me to run for Congress," Ramirez-Rosa said. "I'm humbled by their encouragement to seek the nomination. If Congressman Gutierrez is retiring, I will begin circulating nominating petitions tonight.
"I am ready to take our fight for working families to President Trump's doorstep. As Congressman, I will vigorously oppose President Trump's regime, and fight for the progressive policies that will uplift the 4th District's working families, including medicare for all, free college tuition, stopping deportations and a $15 living wage."
Ramirez-Rosa's announcement comes a short time after he and gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Daniel Biss ( D-Evanston ) announced that the Chicago alderman would run as lieutenant governor alongside Biss in 2018. But those plans were later scrapped after comments Ramirez-Rosa made in support of Boycott, Divest and Sanction ( BDS ) strategies surface. Biss then named state Rep. Litesa Wallace ( D-Rockford ) as a running mate.
Ramirez-Rosa, formerly a community organizer, has been representing the 35th Ward since 2015. Besides being a member of the City Council's LGBT Caucus, he also has voted consistently as part of the Council's Progressive Reform Caucus. At one time Ramirez-Rosa, who is now the youngest person on the City Council, served as a congressional aide to Gutierrez.