FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
Contact: Kristi Sanford, info@reclaimchicago.org or 773-456-4024
Growing Volunteer Movement Wins 9 out of 10 State and Local Races
CHICAGO – With state and local election primary results just in, Reclaim Chicago declares victory for the people on the ground in Chicago and across Cook County. Key high profile races targeted by Reclaim Chicago that won include:
Kim Foxx, Cook County State’s Attorney; Omar Aquino, IL State Sen., D-2; Juliana Stratton, IL State Rep., D-5; Theresa Mah, IL State Rep., D-2; Rep. Christian Mitchell, IL State Rep, D-26
Reclaim Chicago’s proven system for winning elections while building a movement using neighbors organizing neighbors and stressing one-on-one conversations at voters’ doors has built a growing army of volunteers that is becoming a force on Chicago’s political scene.
“Election Day results are showing we have a growing number of Cook County voters ready to support candidates with progressive values that are serious about addressing the issues that plague Chicago, like our broken criminal justice system and about putting people ahead of big money and corporations,” said Reclaim Chicago Executive Director David Hatch. “With more than 4,500 volunteer hours in the field and having called or knocked on the doors of 90,120 voters for our slate of endorsed candidates, we were able to contribute to victories in races, and strong showings up and down the ballot.
While at the time of this release, the race between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton is still too close to call, there is no doubt that Sanders experienced a dramatic surge in support over the last week as he closed a 30 point deficit in the polls. Reclaim Chicago’s field effort played a significant role in converting this change in momentum into concrete votes in Cook County.
Reclaim Chicago helped the following endorsed candidates to Election Day victories:
Kim Foxx, Cook County State’s Attorney
Omar Aquino, IL State Sen., D-2
Juliana Stratton, IL State Rep., D-5
Theresa Mah, IL State Rep., D-2
Rep. Will Guzzardi, IL State Rep., D-39
Rep. Christian Mitchell, IL State Rep, D-26
Ald. Sue Sadlowski-Garza, Committeeman, 10th Ward
Ald. Carlos Rosa, Committeeman, 35th Ward
Ald. John Arena, Committeeman, 45th Ward
“Our ongoing efforts that began in last year’s municipal elections have laid the groundwork for the wins we helped to bring home today,” National Nurses United Midwest Director Jan Rodolfo said. “This is about sustained, progressive political engagement. We are building something that doesn’t end the day after Election Day, but continues to hold elected officials accountable for the actions they take and the decisions they make.”