CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Allies of Mayor Lori Lightfoot are taking rhetorical shots at new Mayoral challenger Raymond Lopez. And, the Alderman is firing back.
12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas, a former floor leader for Mayor Lightfoot, was quick with a statement reacting to 15th Ward Alderman Ray Lopez’s campaign kickoff. He said Lopez has a sorry track record of voting against policies to improve Chicagoans’ lives. And he said voters should be alarmed by his “close partnership” with indicted Alderman Edward Burke.
Lightfoot herself has commented on ties between Lopez and Burke, and Lopez had plenty to say about that on Wednesday. He said Lightfoot has been trying to tie him to the "Ed Burke Boogeyman" for three years, without success.
“I am my own man and, to be perfectly honest, it’s insulting to hear from her that someone like me can’t think on my own,” expressed Lopez.
He said he and Burke have neighboring wards. Working together is expected.
Lopez on Wednesday launched his challenge to Mayor Lori Lightfoot surrounded by residents of his area and sounding confident.
At his campaign kickoff on the Southwest Side, Alderman Ray Lopez criticized Lori Lightfoot for not doing enough to combat rampant crime. He said he would do more, and support the police, not make them feel alienated.
Lopez said he’s done polling that shows he has a path to victory. He also said his numbers are better than his incumbent’s.
“They show that, overwhelmingly, the city of Chicago has made a decision on her tenure and they are definitely looking for someone new, a new direction. And, hands down, we all know what we all feel and see everyday that crime and safety is the number one issue in the city of Chicago,” said Lopez.
Lopez vowed that if he is elected mayor, he would fire Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown, calling him a failure.
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