Nalls Responds To Gov. Pritzker's Endorsement Of Biss For Mayor

From Nalls for Mayor Campaign:

Evanston, IL. Throughout this race, I have spoken as cordially as possible. However, this endorsement reached a tipping point that I will not shy away from. I am disappointed by the desperation of this political move so close to the primary election.

During Chicago’s 2019 mayoral race, Governor Pritzker, a Chicago resident, chose to stay neutral (Hinton, Chicago Sun Times). Evanston’s mayoral race has little bearing on the political makeup of Illinois. If Governor Pritzker had refused to endorse a candidate in the city he resided in, he would have no need to endorse a candidate in Evanston’s mayoral race. This serves as a red flag, not just as a candidate but as an almost 20 year resident of Evanston.

Daniel Biss came into office in 2013 wanting to change fiscal policy in Illinois, but instead attempted to take healthcare and pension benefits away from low income families and Evanston teachers (Garcia, Chicago Tribune). He ran a grassroots campaign in 2018 battling against monied interests repeatedly saying that Governor Pritzker was attempting to buy the election through his money and endorsements (WTTW Governor Forum), but yet he is doing the same today. The blatant hypocrisy leaves me questioning how worried Daniel Biss is of a 20 year old college student and a 22 year community activist.

I have been concerned that words filled with emotions would result in individuals reducing me to an emotional, angry black man, but I ask that residents question themselves on whether Daniel Biss has Evanston’s best interests at heart. Evanston needs a candidate that will take the time and consideration to listen to residents and their problems. It needs a candidate that will not walk back on their promises and has been consistent on their plans for the entirety of their campaign. In the words of Evanston Fight for Black Lives, “experience and age does not equate to the best candidate.”

This news release was produced by Nalls for Mayor Campaign. The views expressed here are the author's own.