- Credibility:
ROGERS PARK — Mayoral hopeful Brandon Johnson has picked up another endorsement from a City Council member in the election’s final stretch.
Ald. Maria Hadden (49th) announced her endorsement of Johnson on Thursday, saying the choice is in line with Rogers Park’s “history of supporting progressive leaders who look to build a Chicago that works for all of us.”
“I firmly believe that [Johnson] will represent all of us well and be an agent for positive change in Chicago,” Hadden said.
In endorsing Johnson, Hadden is supporting the candidate backed by the progressive independent political organization Network 49, of which she is a member.
Network 49 said five mayoral candidates responded to their endorsement questionnaire: Johnson, Jesus “Chuy” García, Kam Buckner, Ald. Sophia King (4th) and Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th). The group voted Feb. 15 on which candidate to endorse, using ranked choice voting, with a winning candidate required to get 50 percent plus one vote to secure the endorsement.
Johnson secured that threshold in the first ballot, according to Network 49. García finished in second place followed by Buckner.
“Network 49 members know that our city is in a difficult place and we need leaders who can understand the experience of everyday Chicagoans, have demonstrated legislative leadership, and lead with a progressive platform that addresses our biggest challenges,” Hadden said in a statement.
Johnson said he was “truly honored and humbled” to receive Hadden’s endorsement.
“Alderwoman Hadden has been an invaluable voice for racial equity, gender equity and climate justice in City Hall, and as the first first Black, queer woman elected to City Council, a genuine trailblazer and role model for our city and its people,” Johnson said in a statement.
Hadden is the latest alderperson to endorse Johnson, a Cook County commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union organizer.
Fellow North Side progressives Alds. Matt Martin (47th) and Ald. Rossana Rodríguez-Sanchez (33rd) also have backed Johnson. So too have have Alds. Daniel La Spata (1st), Pat Dowell (3rd), Jeanette Taylor (20th), Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), according to NBC5.
Ald. Andre Vazquez (40th), whose ward borders Hadden’s, endorsed García. North Side lakefront Ald. James Cappleman (46th) endorsed Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) has endorsed Paul Vallas.
Hadden is running her first reelection campaign and is facing two challengers with backgrounds in business development. She joined Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, who represents Rogers Park, in endorsing Johnson on Thursday.
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