Why the 1st Congressional District race matters

Since the field of candidates has officially been set, there has been virtually no media coverage on the 1st Congressional District Primary race. The race, which features three candidates: Patrick Brutus, Howard Brookins and Bobby Rush literally guarantees that a Black man will be the Democratic nominee. However, that isn’t the only aspect of this race that voters can count on. With a re-election of Rush, or election of Brookins, voters of the District will not see any of the dramatic changes necessary in order to advance this historic District forward because neither one of these two candidates are willing to engage nor can wholly represent the entire constituency of the District. The District, which previously was a 97 square mile area with 70% of the District’s residents residing in the city of Chicago, was served by Rush, a former Black Panther and Alderman, who the African-American community needed at that time.

However, since the District was expanded in 2012 after the 2010 redistricting, Rush has been unable or unwilling to properly represent the rest of the new areas out beyond the South suburbs. Combined with his exceedingly poor Congressional voting and legislative record (missed 33 of 46 roll call votes the week of January 4, 2016, over 2,400 votes missed lifetime ranking him among the worst Congressman, only 6 Bills Chief sponsored enacted into law during his 22-year tenure demonstrating his inability to work across the aisle) and his apparent inability to relate to the increasing number of non-African-American constituents renders him an “out-of-touch” and non-responsive elected official. Despite this, Rush seems determined to ignore the voices of his constituents while endorsing and continuing to support Rahm Emanuel, who many hold responsible for the lack of progress and equity in the African-American community of Chicago, while at the same time marching with those who protested the Administration. This confused leadership is not what is needed as we head into the 21st century.

Likewise with Brookins and his 100% record of voting with Mayor Emanuel on many city Ordinances that have had a tremendous negative effect on the African-American community such as voting for the largest increase in Chicago history, the LaQuan McDonald settlement and the Mayor’s many cabinet appointments who have failed miserably in their roles, voters are assured that he will continue in this same pattern by placing the priorities of the elite over the community in the 1st District. Additionally, his failure to lead the Council’s Black Caucus at a watershed moment for African-Americans in this city cannot be overlooked. While he has been one of the leading Aldermen calling for Anita Alvarez to step down because of her mismanagement in that case, he also stated that he (along with the rest of the Caucus) was misled by the very same Administration that he supports 100% of the time. Holding others responsible and failing to be accountable to himself and the community, while rubber stamping in the Council is not the kind of leadership we need as we head into the 21st century.

The future of the 1st District requires voters to make a clear distinction between the past, present and future. As the only candidate in this race with strong roots in Will County, south suburbs and the city of Chicago, a professional background with real competencies and experience in economic development and the ability to work with all demographics and stakeholders, I offer the very best chance to unify the District. I will work to bring a coordinated economic development strategy between all three counties, propose bold new ideas that will result in increasing the capacity of those doing business in our District and bring back real funding that will support the modernization of our schools and provide our children with the chance at a 21st century education. We have serious problems and need serious people to solve them because these issues simply will not go away overnight; but we certainly need fresh faces to fix them. Therefore, I have concluded that this race is about the 21st century and the time is now for us to look ahead to our future and change it together.

Patrick Brutus – Candidate for 1st Congressional District

www.brutusforcongress.com