Congressman Danny K. Davis (7th) recently announced his endorsements for the upcoming mayoral and aldermanic races during a press conference held Feb. 17 at MacArthur’s Restaurant, 5412 W. Madison St.
Davis is backing businessman Willie Wilson for mayor and endorsing every incumbent in the 24th, 28th, 29th and 37th Ward races, including 24th Ward Ald. Michael Scott, Jr., 28th Ward Ald. Jasono Ervin, 29th Ward Ald. Chris Taliaferro and 37th Ward Ald. Emma Mitts. Davis is also endorsing state Rep. Monica Conyears-Ervin (10th) for city treasurer.
Speaking of Wilson, Davis lauded Wilson’s leadership style, saying that Wilson “has promised to build a team. He’s not going to try and dictate and rule the city of Chicago, because his experiences in Louisiana sharecropping have told him that one mule can’t pull a wagon, but you’ve got to have a team.”
Davis added that his support for Wilson is also premised on Wilson’s “promise to get black contractors working in Chicago.” Davis also referenced Wilson’s proposals to create a commission on black boys and men, and pre-apprenticeship training programs, among other proposals.
Wilson said that he’s known Davis for a long time and has even traveled overseas with the congressman.
“He hasn’t asked me for a dime,” Wilson said of Davis, before saying that his mayoral campaign “will not be bought.”
Wilson added that his campaign will also focus on helping individuals expunge their criminal records, creating a fund (10 percent to 15 percent of the city’s budget) to pay for families who can’t affordable to send their children to college and for senior citizens to pay for transportation, prescription drugs and groceries.
“[The fund will help seniors] ride the bus free of charge for those who cannot afford to ride those buses,” Wilson said.
West Side faith leaders endorse Taliaferro
On Feb. 7, more than 20 West Side faith leaders gathered at Greater St. John Bible Church to endorse 28th Ward Ald. Chris Taliaferro’s reelection effort. The endorsement breakfast was organized by Rev. Ira Acree, Greater St. John’s pastor.
The faith-based leaders in attendance included: Rev. Johnny Miller, the pastor of JLM Abundant Life Center; Rev. Marshall Hatch, past Chicago State University board chairman and pastor of New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. Steve Epting, pastor of Hope Church; and Rev. Cy Fields, the president of the Leaders Network.
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