Thread: Aw Shucks...Gutierrez opts to seek re-election

Gutierrez opts to seek re-election
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 9621.story

Tribune photo by Nancy Stone, August 16, 2007
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), with his wife, Soraida, beside him, announces Thursday that he will seek re-election to his Congressional seat. Gutierrez said he wants to continue fighting for immigration reform.


By Mickey Ciokajlo | Tribune staff reporter
August 17, 2007

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) reversed course Thursday and said he would seek re-election to Congress next year despite earlier claims he would retire at the end of his current term.

A leading advocate for immigration reform, Gutierrez said he will run for a ninth 2-year term with the hope that a fellow Democrat will be elected president and he finally will be able to achieve his principal legislative goal.

Gutierrez, 53, said several changes over the last 18 months led to the switch. Democrats took over Congress, Barack Obama emerged as a legitimate contender for president of the United States, and his wife's health dramatically improved, he said.

Gutierrez said his wife, Soraida, who has thyroid cancer, has also decided to cut back her hours as an investment banker, which will allow her to spend more time with him in Washington now that their two children are grown.

"About a year and a half ago I announced that because of my wife's health condition and my desire to return back to Chicago that I would not seek another term," Gutierrez said Thursday. "Since then, my wife's health has improved immensely, which I am deeply grateful for."

Gutierrez said his wife's cancer is "gone. It's about as gone as it can be."

The congressman's emergence as a candidate in the Feb. 5 primary quickly cleared the field of local politicians who had been jockeying to replace him in the district that covers portions of Chicago's Near Northwest and Southwest Sides and parts of western suburbs, notably Cicero.

Three of the four announced candidates quickly bowed out, saying it was never their intention to run against Gutierrez.

"Obviously I value Luis' activism and the work that he does in Congress," said Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd), one of the candidates who promptly dropped out of the race. "The district needs an activist reformer congressman like Luis Gutierrez."

Joining Munoz in dropping out were Ald. George Cardenas (12th) and Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado (D-Chicago).

"He has represented the people of the 4th District with dignity, passion and conviction, and he has represented those who have no voice in government better than anyone else I can think of," said Maldonado, a protege of Gutierrez.

Ald. Manuel Flores (1st) emerged last month as the leading fundraiser among his rivals to succeed Gutierrez. A spokesman, Pat Corcoran, said Thursday Flores would take some time before deciding whether to continue with his campaign.

Gutierrez contended Thursday his job is not yet done on his signature issue: immigration reform. He was a leading advocate for the sweeping immigration reform bill that raised expectations for passage earlier this year but eventually died -- despite the backing of President Bush -- in the U.S. Senate.

Gutierrez said he expects a Democrat will be elected president next year and the prospects of passing immigration reform will improve. He has been actively campaigning for Obama.

"I didn't want to turn my back and betray the issue that I've devoted the last 15 years of my life to -- comprehensive immigration reform," he said.

Gutierrez said if such legislation is approved in the next term, "my job will be done."

The congressman also pointed to a letter a number of elected officials and community leaders sent to him earlier this month urging him to run again. In citing the need for immigration reform, the letter said, "The work that lies ahead requires your brand of leadership and passion."

The letter, which the congressman called "very humbling and very gratifying," also had an effect on his decision, he said.

Gutierrez had toyed with the idea of challenging Mayor Richard Daley in the city election earlier this year, rapping the mayor on a range of issues from schools to transportation to housing. But he didn't run and later gave Daley a hearty endorsement, minimizing his criticisms.

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mciokajlo@tribune.com

The 2008 elections will be veerry intresting.I predict some people are going to be reeally surprised at the votng results unless a whole bunch of Illegals votes go undetected and unchallenged.

He really makes my skin crawl! This is just one more reason the Reps have to win in '08!!!

He really makes my skin crawl!

LOL.....he's right up there with Geraldo and that other dude with the handlebar moustache that always smiles and says "mexico is our friend". I can't stand the man. He has an interest for only his group of people. No intent to serve any other.

illinois is bankrupt and yet we continue to spend money on programs to help people illegally in this country. we have blogo as govenor whose said he will tax businesses because they have so much money they are wasteful so if taxed more they will be FORCED to run more effeciently. then we have dickie durbin and obama ... you couldn't open the borders wide enough to please them ... enough said. then we have gutierrez he is in chicago to help 'HIS PEOPLE' then i realized his people are puerto rician... not his constituents.

He wants to stay in office to continue his sabotage against America. Why should Americans allow this type of racist individual to be elected?

Crazybird



Ambassador Juan "Mexico is our friend" Hernandez


<img src=http://www.samford.edu/pubs/belltower/images/hernandez.jpg>

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), with his wife, Soraida, beside him, announces Thursday that he will seek re-election to his Congressional seat. Gutierrez said he wants to continue fighting for immigration reform.

If the good people of Ill. have been paying attention they will help put this fool in the un-employment line with

Rep (R) John Kyle Arizona
Rep (R) Mel Martinez Florida
Rep (R) Grahm South Carolina
Rep. (D) Luis Gutierrez Ill

This list will keep growing

Originally Posted by Lone_Patriot

illinois is bankrupt and yet we continue to spend money on programs to help people illegally in this country. we have blogo as govenor whose said he will tax businesses because they have so much money they are wasteful so if taxed more they will be FORCED to run more effeciently. then we have dickie durbin and obama ... you couldn't open the borders wide enough to please them ... enough said. then we have gutierrez he is in chicago to help 'HIS PEOPLE' then i realized his people are puerto rician... not his constituents.

Lone Patriot....Chicago and L.A. are in a race to the bottom. We have Vivalarza and Fabian Nunez...AND NOW WE HAVE ELVIRA!!! God help us all!!!

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