- Credibility:
CHICAGO — Businessman and former mayoral candidate Willie Wilson is backing Paul Vallas for Chicago mayor.
Wilson made the announcement Wednesday.
Wilson finished fifth in the Feb. 28 mayoral election, receiving more than 51,000 votes, about 9 percent of the total. He said Wednesday he believes Vallas, a former Chicago Public Schools CEO, is the best choice for City Hall over Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson. The runoff election is April 4.
“I know that Paul Vallas is the only candidate left in this race who will do what’s needed to make Chicago safer, and that’s why he has my support,” Wilson said in a statement.
“Paul has a long history of working closely with the Black community and his plans to invest in neighborhoods that have been neglected for too long is impressive, and he will do it without imposing new taxes that will drive away companies and jobs. I’m glad to stand with Paul and I encourage my supporters to come out and vote for him in the runoff election.”
A perennial candidate for public office, Wilson has become known in recent years for holding free gas and grocery giveaways across Chicago. He previously ran for mayor in 2015 and 2019.
During his latest candidacy, Wilson drew criticism from several rivals over his comments surrounding policing.
Wilson said he’d “take the handcuffs” off police and allow them to “hunt down criminals like rabbits.”
Wilson doubled down on the statement at a January candidates forum after being asked what he considered to be “constitutional policing,” referencing his son Omar who was murdered in 1995.
Vallas has centered crime and public safety in his campaign for mayor.
“As someone who lost a son to gun violence, Willie Wilson knows better than anyone how important it is to make Chicago safer and I’m proud to earn his support,” Vallas said in a news release.
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