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CHICAGO — The Chicago chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) confirmed Tuesday it has rescinded its endorsement of Mueze Bawany in the race for 50th Ward alderman.
Chicago DSA’s Executive Committee met Monday night and voted to pull back the endorsement of Bawany in the Far North Side race. Bawany is the only challenger to Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) who has been in office since 2011.
According to a letter sent to Chicago DSA members, at least two-thirds of the organization’s Executive Committee voted Monday to rescind the endorsement of Bawany. Chicago DSA has endorsed candidates in 10 other aldermanic races throughout the city.
“During a recent candidates forum, Bawany disavowed the [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] movement, specifically naming his disagreement on this issue with CDSA. In further comments to the press, Bawany has walked back his support of the Defund movement and distanced himself from the label socialist. These comments contradict Bawany’s statements given to CDSA during our endorsement process,” Chicago DSA officers wrote in their letter to members.
Chicago DSA officers wrote that it was because of those comments it was rescinding its endorsement and halting canvassing on behalf of Bawany’s campaign.
“We wish only the best for our comrades and partner [organizations] who continue to canvass for Bawany,” they wrote in the letter to members.
Bawany’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment by publishing time.
Chicago DSA has also endorsed Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st), Oscar Sanchez in the 10th Ward, Ambria Taylor in the 11th Ward, Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th), Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), Warren Williams in the 30th Ward, Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd), Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35), Angela Clay in the 46th Ward and Nick Ward in the 48th Ward.
Bawany is a public-school teacher and has also received endorsements from organizations including the Chicago Teachers Union, United Working Families, Northside Democracy for America and the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs Votes.
Bawany came under fire earlier this month after comments he made years ago on social media “in which he used profanities against the state of Israel and made other offensive comments” surfaced, the Tribune first reported.
Bawany has publicly apologized for the tweets saying he wanted “to own that these were my tweets and let those they hurt know that I apologize unequivocally. The tone and content of these tweets do not represent who I am, the campaign I’m running, and if elected, how I plan to lead.”
The Tribune reported last week additional tweets from Bawany had surfaced as the aldermanic hopeful urged that Silverstein be scrutinized as much as his old tweets.